Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Jan. 26, 2014

Notes to financial statements [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Amortizable Intangible Assets

The components of our amortizable intangible assets are as follows:

	January 26, 2014								January 27, 2013
	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)
Acquisition-related intangible assets	$	189,239	$	(114,104	)	$	75,135	6.5	$	172,039	$	(96,389	)	$	75,650	6.9
Patents and licensed technology	446,196		(225,319		)	220,877		7.2	407,002		(170,320		)	236,682		7.0
Total intangible assets	$	635,435	$	(339,423	)	$	296,012		$	579,041	$	(266,709	)	$	312,332

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $72.7 million, $68.4 million and $59.0 million, respectively. Amortization expense increased compared to the prior year primarily due to the addition of licensed technology, patent portfolios and the acquisition of certain assets from a business combination during fiscal year 2014. Future amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets at January 26, 2014 is estimated to be $79.4 million in fiscal year 2015, $72.7 million in fiscal year 2016, $59.4 million in fiscal year 2017, $48.1 million in fiscal year 2018, $19.9 million in fiscal year 2019 and $16.5 million in fiscal years subsequent to fiscal year 2019 until fully amortized.