{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/intellectual-property","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/intellectual-property","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"intellectual-property","term":"Intellectual property","group":"Reading the business","definition":"These are intangible assets like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets that a business owns. For a buyer, IP can be a significant source of value and competitive advantage.","what_it_means":"During due diligence, identify and value the business's intellectual property. Ensure all IP is properly registered and transferred to you as part of the asset purchase. Lenders will consider strong, defensible IP as a positive factor in their collateral analysis, even if it's an intangible asset.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/intellectual-property","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"trademark","term":"Trademark","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trademark"},{"slug":"patent","term":"Patent","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/patent"},{"slug":"intangible-asset","term":"Intangible asset","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/intangible-asset"},{"slug":"business-valuation","term":"Business valuation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-valuation"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance the purchase of intellectual property?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-the-purchase-of-intellectual-property"},{"question":"Does the value of intellectual property I already own personally count towards my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-value-of-intellectual-property-i-already-own-personally-count-towards-my-equity-i"},{"question":"How does an SBA 7(a) loan handle intangible assets like intellectual property as collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-an-sba-7-a-loan-handle-intangible-assets-like-intellectual-property-as-collateral"},{"question":"Does the SBA require a lien on intellectual property, like trademarks or patents, as collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-require-a-lien-on-intellectual-property-like-trademarks-or-patents-as-collate"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance the purchase of intellectual property, like patents or trademarks?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-the-purchase-of-intellectual-property-like-patents-or-trademar"},{"question":"Are intellectual property assets, like patents or trademarks, acceptable collateral for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-intellectual-property-assets-like-patents-or-trademarks-acceptable-collateral-for-an-s"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Intellectual property","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/intellectual-property","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}