Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Jan. 29, 2012

Notes to financial statements [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Amortizable Intangible Assets

The components of our amortizable intangible assets are as follows:

	January 29, 2012								January 30, 2011
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net  Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net  Carrying Amount		Weighted Average Useful Life
	(In thousands)							(In years)	(In thousands)							(In years)
Technology licenses	$	319,930	$	(99,302	)	$	220,628	7.6	$	320,477	$	(62,791	)	$	257,686	7.6
Acquired intellectual property	172,039		(79,261		)	92,778		6.0	75,339		(61,114		)	14,225		3.8
Patents	32,456		(19,726		)	12,730		5.3	32,203		(15,369		)	16,834		5.3
Total intangible assets	$	524,425	$	(198,289	)	$	326,136		$	428,019	$	(139,274	)	$	288,745

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $59.0 million, $30.0 million and $31.9 million, respectively. Future amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets at January 29, 2012 is estimated to be $56.2 million in fiscal year 2013, $51.3 million in fiscal year 2014, $51.3 million in fiscal year 2015, $46.0 million in fiscal year 2016, $33.1 million in fiscal year 2017 and $88.2 million in fiscal years subsequent to fiscal year 2017 until fully amortized.