v2.4.1.9
Intangible Assets
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 25, 2015
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]  
Intangible Assets
Amortizable Intangible Assets
 
The components of our amortizable intangible assets are as follows:
 
January 25, 2015
 
January 26, 2014
 
Gross 
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net 
Carrying
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Useful Life
 
Gross 
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net 
Carrying
Amount
 
Weighted Average Useful Life
 
(In thousands)
 
(In years)
 
(In thousands)
 
(In years)
Acquisition-related intangible assets
$
189,239

 
$
(134,062
)
 
$
55,177

 
6.8
 
$
189,239

 
$
(114,104
)
 
$
75,135

 
6.5
Patents and licensed technology
448,873

 
(282,336
)
 
166,537

 
7.2
 
446,196

 
(225,319
)
 
220,877

 
7.2
Total intangible assets
$
638,112

 
$
(416,398
)
 
$
221,714

 
 
 
$
635,435

 
$
(339,423
)
 
$
296,012

 
 


Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $77.0 million, $72.7 million and $68.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense increased compared to the prior year primarily due to the addition of licensed technology during fiscal year 2015. Future amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets at January 25, 2015 is estimated to be $71.9 million in fiscal year 2016, $63.6 million in fiscal year 2017, $49.1 million in fiscal year 2018, $20.4 million in fiscal year 2019, $11.9 million in fiscal year 2020 and $4.8 million in fiscal years subsequent to fiscal year 2020 until fully amortized.