Adobe 2015 Annual Report Download - page 68

Table of Contents
ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
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expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these assets, we recognize
an impairment loss based on any excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. We did not recognize any intangible
asset impairment charges in fiscal 2015, 2014 or 2013.
During fiscal 2015, our intangible assets were amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 14 years.
Amortization is based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset will be consumed or on a straight-line
basis when the consumption pattern is not apparent. The weighted average useful lives of our intangible assets were as follows:
Weighted
Average
Useful Life
(years)
Purchased technology 6
Customer contracts and relationships 8
Trademarks 8
Acquired rights to use technology 8
Localization 1
Other intangibles 5
Software Development Costs
Capitalization of software development costs for software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed begins upon the
establishment of technological feasibility, which is generally the completion of a working prototype that has been certified as
having no critical bugs and is a release candidate. Amortization begins once the software is ready for its intended use, generally
based on the pattern in which the economic benefits will be consumed. To date, software development costs incurred between
completion of a working prototype and general availability of the related product have not been material.
Internal Use Software
We capitalize costs associated with customized internal-use software systems that have reached the application development
stage. Such capitalized costs include external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the applications and payroll and
payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with the development of the applications. Capitalization of
such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases at the point in which the project is substantially
complete and is ready for its intended purpose.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized
for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities,
and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount
for which realization is more likely than not.
Taxes Collected from Customers
We net taxes collected from customers against those remitted to government authorities in our financial statements.
Accordingly, taxes collected from customers are not reported as revenue.
Treasury Stock
We account for treasury stock under the cost method. When treasury stock is re-issued at a price higher than its cost, the
difference is recorded as a component of additional paid-in-capital in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. When treasury stock is
re-issued at a price lower than its cost, the difference is recorded as a component of additional paid-in-capital to the extent that
there are previously recorded gains to offset the losses. If there are no treasury stock gains in additional paid-in-capital, the losses
upon re-issuance of treasury stock are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.