ontastbare

Ontastbare is a Dutch adjective meaning untouchable or intangible. In everyday language it contrasts with tastbaar (tangible) and is used to describe things that cannot be perceived by touch, such as ideas, rights, or knowledge. In economics and accounting, ontastbare activa—often translated as intangible assets—refer to non-physical resources that contribute to value and future earnings.

Common examples include patents, copyrights, software, licenses, brands, customer relationships, goodwill, and data assets. Intellectual property, proprietary algorithms, and organizational capital are also categorized as ontastbare. The term is used both for legal assets and for broader cultural or strategic value that is not physically manifested.

Valuation and accounting: Many jurisdictions recognize intangible assets as balance sheet items under specific criteria. Finite-lived intangibles can be amortized; indefinite-lived intangibles undergo impairment testing. Internally generated intangibles, such as certain research outcomes, may be expensed rather than capitalized, depending on standards. Measurement often relies on methods like the income approach, relief-from-royalties, or cost-based models, and disclosures aim to reflect risk and uncertainty.

In business and policy, ontastbare assets are a growing part of enterprise value, especially in technology- and knowledge-driven sectors. Their intangibility poses measurement challenges and requires careful disclosure to ensure transparency for investors and stakeholders. The concept also intersects with fields such as intellectual property law, corporate governance, and cultural heritage, where non-physical value plays a central role.