Companies can amortize a patent for a period that cannot exceed years.

20 years

Explanation:

Amortization refers to the process of lowering book value in case of intangible assets or services such as copyrights, trademarks , patents, etc.

It simply refers to spreading the cost of an intangible asset over it's estimated life.

A patent refers to an exclusive right to use a certain technology or a method which cannot be used by anybody else.

As per US Generally accepted accounting principles, patents are to be amortized over period of their estimated benefits or a period of 20 years whichever is earlier.

This means the amortization of patents cannot exceed a period of 20 years.

these are the four factors that influence enterpreneurship development

1. economic development

2. culture

3.technological development

4. education

answer; at prices that violate government price regulations;