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INTANGIBLE ASSETS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands, except amortization period data):
 
 
December 31,
 
Weighted- Average
Amortization Period
(in years)
 
2015
 
2016
 
Capitalized product development cost
$
2,243

 
$
2,275

 
4
Accumulated amortization
(2,172
)
 
(2,217
)
 
 
Capitalized product development cost, net
71

 
58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Building photography
17,677

 
17,271

 
4
Accumulated amortization
(15,875
)
 
(16,351
)
 
 
Building photography, net
1,802

 
920

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired database technology
77,905

 
78,151

 
5
Accumulated amortization
(62,818
)
 
(72,691
)
 
 
Acquired database technology, net
15,087

 
5,460

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired customer base
221,409

 
220,749

 
10
Accumulated amortization
(129,782
)
 
(150,445
)
 
 
Acquired customer base, net
91,627

 
70,304

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired trade names and other intangible assets
153,910

 
153,607

 
13
Accumulated amortization
(24,179
)
 
(34,384
)
 
 
Acquired trade names and other intangible assets, net
129,731

 
119,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intangible assets, net
$
238,318

 
$
195,965

 
 


Amortization expense for intangible assets was approximately $55 million, $59 million and $46 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
 
In the aggregate, the Company expects amortization for intangible assets existing as of December 31, 2016 for future periods to be approximately $33 million, $24 million, $21 million, $19 million and $18 million for the years ending December 31, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company determined that the acquired trade names recorded in connection with the LoopNet acquisition on April 30, 2012 should be reclassified from an indefinite-lived intangible asset to a definite-lived intangible asset due to work being performed to integrate the backend systems of LoopNet and CoStar, which may result in a future re-branding effort if aspects of the LoopNet and CoStar services are ultimately combined. The Company estimated the fair value of the LoopNet trade names using the relief from royalty method and concluded that no impairment existed as of March 31, 2016. The Company estimated a useful life of fifteen years for the LoopNet trade names, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis.