The IASB is performing additional research and is expected to issue a similar (but not identical) proposal in the near future. The Boards do not expect significant divergence as a result of their respective amendments.
Main Provisions
The proposed amendments provide more detailed guidance, including additional implementation guidance and examples in the following key areas: 1) identifying performance obligations, and 2) licenses of intellectual property.- Identifying Performance Obligations
In order to identify performance obligations, an entity must assess whether goods or services promised in the contract are distinct. The proposed amendments would more clearly articulate the guidance for assessing whether promises are separately identifiable, which is one of two criteria for determining whether the promises are distinct[3]. They would also modify the wording of the factors an entity should consider when assessing whether two or more promises are separately identifiable (paragraph 606-10-25-21), and provide additional examples within the implementation guidance for assessing these factors.
In addition, an entity would not be required to identify goods or services promised that are immaterial in the context of the contract, which some stakeholders believed was required based on language in the basis for conclusions in ASU 2014-09. Further, an entity would be permitted to account for shipping and handling activities occurring after the customer has obtained control of a good as a fulfillment activity rather than as an additional promised service. This would be an accounting policy election and related disclosures would be required. As such, if elected, those shipping and handling activities would not be identified as separate performance obligations, and no revenue would be allocated to them. Related costs would be presented as expenses. - Licenses of Intellectual Property
Topic 606 includes implementation guidance on determining whether an entity’s promise to grant a license provides a customer with either a right to access the entity’s intellectual property (IP) (which is satisfied over time) or a right to use the entity’s intellectual property (which is satisfied at a point in time). To this end, the proposed amendments are intended to clarify whether a license of IP represents a right of use or a right of access by categorizing the underlying IP as either functional or symbolic.
Functional IP has significant standalone functionality because it can be used as is for performing a specific task, or be aired or played. A license to functional IP represents a right to use the IP as it exists at a point in time, and does not include supporting or maintaining the IP during the license period. A license to functional IP is generally satisfied at the point in time the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. Examples of functional IP include software, biological compounds or drug formulas, and completed media content.
Symbolic IP does not have significant standalone functionality. A license to symbolic IP represents a promise to both (a) grant the customer rights to use and benefit from the IP and make that underlying IP available for the customer’s use and benefit and (b) support or maintain the IP during the license period (or over the remaining economic life of the IP, if shorter). This type of license is satisfied over time. Examples of symbolic IP include brands, team or trade names, logos, and franchise rights.
The implementation guidance would also be clarified to indicate that a promise to grant a license that is not a separate performance obligation must be considered in the context above (i.e., functional or symbolic), in order to determine whether the overall performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time or over time, and how to best measure progress toward completion if recognized over time.
Additionally, Topic 606 includes implementation guidance on when to recognize revenue for a sales-based or usage-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of IP. The proposed amendments would clarify two aspects of that guidance:
- An entity would not split a sales-based or usage-based royalty into a portion subject to the guidance on sales-based and usage-based royalties and a portion that is not subject to that guidance. In other words, a royalty is either subject to the guidance on sales-based and usage-based royalties, or it is not.
- The guidance on sales-based and usage-based royalties would apply to a sales-based or usage-based royalty whenever the predominant item to which the royalty relates is a license of IP.
Effective Date and Transition
The effective date and transition requirements for the proposed amendments would be the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2014-09. The Board has also recently proposed a delay to the effective date of ASU 2014-09.
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