Much of Today’s
Value Is Intangible.
Intellectual property and other intangible assets have become an increasingly important source of business value.
92%
of S&P 500 market value was represented by intangible assets at the end of 2025.
In 50 years, the balance has almost completely reversed: from 17% intangible in 1975 to 92% in 2025.
IP VALUE (AND COST) GOES BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE
What you can see:
-
Glass, metal and electronics
-
Components
-
Packaging
What you can't see:
Patented technology
Brand and trademarks
Design
Software and copyrighted content
Manufacturing know-how
Licensing agreements
WHY IP VALUE MATTERS
1
CREATES MEANING
Intangible assets, represented in some IP rights, provide value (like real estate), even if they are not always reflected on the balance sheet.
2
ENABLES INVESTMENT
Clear ownership can help businesses attract investment and commercialize innovation.
3
SUPPORTS LICENSING
IP rights can be licensed, allowing ideas and technologies to generate value beyond their original creator.
