Method and apparatus for establishing and enhancing the creditworthiness of intellectual property

摘要

A method and apparatus for deciding whether to make a loan using an intangible asset, such as intellectual property, as collateral and for making such a loan more attractive to a lender. The method requires that an assessment of the transferability and viability of the asset be made to determine if the asset and loan applicant meet minimum qualifying criteria. If they do, a more detailed analysis is undertaken in which judgments are reached concerning various factors related to historical, comparative and prospective market behavior in market sectors identical with, as well as parallel and corollary to the primary market sector for the asset sought to be used as loan collateral. The analysis leads to calculation of an asset liquidation value and production of a correlated depreciation schedule which are both presented to the prospective lender. A third party then contracts with the lender to pay the asset liquidation value to the lender, adjusted for depreciation over time, in the event that the loan applicant defaults on the loan. This arrangement reduces the lender's risk of loss thereby making the loan more attractive. A computer-based apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.