goodwill. A business’s reputation, patronage, and other intangible assets that are considered when appraising the business, esp. for purchase; the ability to earn income in excess of the income that would be expected from the business viewed as a mere collection of assets. • Because an established business’s trademark or servicemark is a symbol of goodwill, trademark infringement is a form of theft of goodwill. By the same token, when a trademark is assigned, the goodwill that it carries is also assigned. — Also written good will. Cf. going-concern value under VALUE(2). [Cases: Good Will 1–2.]
“[Goodwill] is only another name for reputation, credit, honesty, fair name, reliability.” Harry D. Nims, The Law of Unfair Competition and Trade-Marks 36 (1929).
“Good will is to be distinguished from that element of value referred to variously as going-concern value, going value, or going business. Although some courts have stated that the difference is merely technical and that it is unimportant to attempt to separate these intangibles, it is generally held that going-concern value is that which inheres in a plant of an established business.” 38 Am. Jur. 2d Good Will § 2, at 913 (1968).
双语律师William，国内知名法学院金融专业，擅长翻译各类与
投资基金、投资顾问及金融衍生工具相关的法律文件。
