immateriellen

Immateriellen is an adjective used in German to describe things without physical substance. In economic and legal contexts it often appears in terms like immaterielle Vermögenswerte (intangible assets) and immaterieller Wert. The concept covers rights, knowledge and other non-physical assets that can generate future economic benefits for a business or holder.

Typical examples of immaterial assets include patents, trademarks, copyrights and software, licenses, know-how, customer lists, brand names, domain names, franchise rights and goodwill. These assets arise from legal rights, intellectual capital, or business processes rather than from physical objects. They may be acquired externally or developed internally, and their value is usually linked to future profitability, such as exclusive access to technology, brand recognition, or confidential processes.

In accounting, immaterielle Vermögenswerte are recognized separately from tangible assets when they are identifiable, controllable by the entity, and expected to bring future benefits and when their cost can be measured reliably. Under international standards (IFRS, IAS 38), development costs can be capitalized if specific criteria are met; acquired intangible assets are capitalized and amortized over their useful life, while assets with indefinite life may be tested for impairment rather than amortized. Impairment tests are also required when there are indications that the asset’s value has declined. Tax and regulatory rules can affect recognition, measurement, and depreciation differently across jurisdictions.

The term remains central in corporate finance, accounting and intellectual property law, highlighting how non-physical assets contribute to value creation and competitive advantage.