Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Jan. 25, 2015

Notes to financial statements [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Amortizable Intangible Assets

The components of our amortizable intangible assets are as follows:

	January 25, 2015								January 26, 2014
	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	$	(134,062	)	$	55,177	6.8	$	189,239	$	(114,104	)	$	75,135	6.5
Patents and licensed technology	448,873		(282,336		)	166,537		7.2	446,196		(225,319		)	220,877		7.2
Total intangible assets	$	638,112	$	(416,398	)	$	221,714		$	635,435	$	(339,423	)	$	296,012

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $77.0 million, $72.7 million and $68.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense increased compared to the prior year primarily due to the addition of licensed technology during fiscal year 2015. Future amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets at January 25, 2015 is estimated to be $71.9 million in fiscal year 2016, $63.6 million in fiscal year 2017, $49.1 million in fiscal year 2018, $20.4 million in fiscal year 2019, $11.9 million in fiscal year 2020 and $4.8 million in fiscal years subsequent to fiscal year 2020 until fully amortized.