Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
December 31,
20202019
(In thousands)
Goodwill$12,790 $12,790 
Other intangible assets
Gross other intangible assets286 6,386 
Accumulated amortization(237)(6,321)
Net other intangible assets49 65 
Total goodwill and other intangible assets$12,839 $12,855 

The reduction in the gross other intangible assets and related accumulated amortization balances was due to the retirement of fully amortized patent assets during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in the third quarter (July 1) of the Company’s fiscal year or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. The recoverability of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level, which represents the operating segment.

On July 1, 2020, the Company estimated the fair value of its reporting units using both the discounted cash flow and market approaches. The forecast of future cash flows, which are based on the Company’s best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, are based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment, and general economic conditions. The Company incorporates other significant inputs to its fair value calculations, including discount rate and market multiples, to reflect current market conditions, and also considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the termination of the VorTeq License Agreement in its calculations. The analysis performed indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit that is allocated goodwill significantly exceed their carrying value. As a result, no impairment charge was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company continues to actively monitor the industries in which it operates and its businesses’ performance for indicators of potential impairment.
Other Intangible Assets

The following table presents the components of active identifiable intangible assets, all of which are finite-lived, at the beginning of each respective year and their related accumulated amortization and carrying value at the end of each respective year. All intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful life.
Weighted Average Useful LifeDecember 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying AmountGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying Amount
(In thousands, except for weighted average useful life)
Developed technology10 years$— $— $— $6,100 $(6,100)$— 
Patents18 years286 (237)49 286 (221)65 
Total$286 $(237)$49 $6,386 $(6,321)$65 

There was no impairment of intangible assets recorded during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
    The following table presents the intangible asset amortization expense recognized.
 Years Ended December 31,
 202020192018
(In thousands)
Amortization of intangible assets$16 $575 $630 
    The following table presents the future estimated amortization expense on intangible assets as of December 31, 2020.
Estimated Future Amortization
(In thousands)
Year:
2021$12 
202211 
202311 
202411 
2025
Total$49 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2020Mar 12, 2021Showing above
2019Mar 6, 2020
2018Mar 7, 2019
2017Mar 8, 2018
2016Mar 10, 2017
2015Mar 4, 2016

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.