Question 1197800
**1. Calculate Annual Amortization Expense**

* **Formula:**
   * Annual Amortization Expense = Purchase Price / Useful Life

* **Values:**
   * Purchase Price = $12,000,000
   * Useful Life = 15 years

* **Calculation:**
   * Annual Amortization Expense = $12,000,000 / 15 years = $800,000 per year

**Therefore, the patent's annual amortization expense for the years before the lawsuit was $800,000.**