Most computer software is not "purchased" by an end user, in the same way as you would a car or house.
When you purchase software, you do not become the owner of that software or copyright. Rather, you are purchasing the right to use the software under certain restrictions imposed by the copyright owner. This ppt defines Software as a Intangible Asset which needs a special attention and upkeep.
Software: Fixed Asset: Is it a Building and Equipments ? Does it last long time or is short lived ? End of Sale, Technology Refresh.
Most computer software is not "purchased" by an end user, in the same way as you would a car or house. When you purchase software, you do not become the owner of that software or copyright. Rather, you are purchasing the right to use the software under certain restrictions imposed by the copyright owner, typically the software publisher. It more like a residential apartment that you rent for your living, pay its maintenance and upgrades. Since it is not something you can own, it is not something you could really call an asset, any more than a rental agreement on an apartment make it one of your assets.
Intangible assets have real vale and are very important to a company's success, but are much harder to measure and quantify than their tangible counterparts. These kinds of assets can be customer-, technology-, or market-based. Examples of intangible assets include organizational ability, research and development, brand equity, customer databases, exclusivity within a particular market or geographic area, software, drawings, special expertise, customer satisfaction, the speed at which companies are able to bring new products and services to market, and more.
Software theft remains an urgent issue. This year’s BSA/IDC Global Software Piracy Study shows that for every $100 worth of legitimate software sold in 2009, an additional $75 was stolen. Piracy puts users at risk by compromising their computer security, since pirated software often contains malware.