Which of the following is NOT usually considered a tangible asset of an organization?

Patents are classified as intangible assets rather than tangible assets. This distinction arises because patents represent legal rights and intellectual property that provide a competitive advantage to an organization. Unlike tangible assets such as equipment, investments, and cash, which have physical substance and can be seen or touched, patents do not have a physical form. They embody the exclusive right to produce or sell an invention, but they are not material goods that exist in the physical world.

In contrast, equipment, investments, and cash are all considered tangible assets because they represent physical items or financial resources that can be quantified and utilized directly in business operations. Therefore, recognizing patents as intangible assets is essential for accurately assessing an organization's financial health and resource management.