IFRS 3 — Customer-related intangible assets

Date recorded:

Issue

The IFRIC received a request to add an item to its agenda to provide guidance on the circumstances in which a non-contractual customer relationship arises in a business combination.

IFRS 3 Business Combinations (as revised in 2008) requires an acquirer to recognise the identifiable intangible assets of the acquiree separately from goodwill. An intangible asset is identifiable if it meets either the contractual-legal criterion or the separable criterion in IAS 38 Intangible Assets. Contractual customer relationships are always recognised separately from goodwill because they meet the contractual-legal criterion. However, non-contractual customer relationships are recognised separately from goodwill only if they meet the separable criterion.

The IFRIC noted that the IFRS Glossary defines the term ‘contract’. Paragraphs B31─B40 of IFRS 3 provide application guidance on the recognition of intangible assets and the different criteria related to whether they are established on the basis of a contract. The IFRIC also noted that paragraph IE28 in the illustrative examples accompanying IFRS 3 provides indicators for identifying the existence of a customer relationship between an entity and its customer and states that a customer relationship ‘may also arise through means other than contracts, such as through regular contact by sales or service representatives.’

The IFRIC concluded that how the relationship is established helps to identify whether a customer relationship exists but should not be the primary basis for determining whether the acquirer recognises an intangible asset. The IFRIC noted that the criteria in paragraph IE28 might be more relevant. The existence of contractual relationships and information about a customer’s prior purchases would be important inputs in valuing a customer relationship intangible asset but should not determine whether it is recognised.

 

Decision not to add

March 2009

 

Reason

In the light of the explicit guidance in IFRS 3, the IFRIC decided that developing an Interpretation reflecting its conclusion is not possible. Noting widespread confusion in practice on this issue, the IFRIC decided that it could be best resolved by referring it to the IASB and the FASB with a recommendation to review and amend IFRS 3 by:

  • removing the distinction between ‘contractual’ and ‘non-contractual’ customer-related intangible assets recognised in a business combination
  • reviewing the indicators that identify the existence of a customer relationship in paragraph IE28 of IFRS 3 and including them in the standard.

 

IFRIC reference: IFRS3R – 1

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