For many companies, their most valuable assets are not their cash and their inventory but their intangible assets. These intangible assets may include brand names, mastheads, patents and items that are trademarked or covered by copyright.
1. What internal control procedures can be put in place by companies to protect their: 

a. Brand names? 

b. Patents?
c. Trademarks/copyright?

2. The control procedures you have identified in question 1 will vary by how much they cost and what benefit may be derived. For each item of intellectual property, identify a very costly procedure that could be employed and a very inexpensive procedure.
3. Perform a cost-benefit analysis and identify whether you recommend your costly or your inexpensive procedure by examining the potential benefit that could be obtained by the company relative to its costs.