On January 1, 2006, Sip Co. signed a five-year contract enabling it to use a patented manufacturing process beginning in 2006. A royalty is payable for each product produced, subject to a minimum annual fee. Any royalties in excess of the minimum will be paid annually. On the contract date, Sip prepaid a sum equal to two years’ minimum annual fees. In 2006, only minimum fees were incurred. The royalty prepayment should be reported in Sip’s December 31, 2006 financial statements as
- An expense only.
- A current asset and an expense.
- A current asset and noncurrent asset.
- A noncurrent asset.