What this class covers
ANZSIC class 6640 classifies Australian businesses that generate income by leasing the rights to use non-financial intangible assets. The core activity involves holding an intellectual property right or similar asset and deriving revenue from licensing fees paid by others for its use. This classification is used by government agencies and researchers for statistical purposes, and it can influence a business's industry coding for tax, insurance, and grant applications.
A key characteristic is that the asset being leased is not a physical good but a right or permission. Crucially, this class explicitly excludes income derived from leasing copyrighted works. Common real-world examples include a company that owns a popular brand name and leases it to franchisees, an entity that holds a patent for an invention and licenses it to manufacturers, or an operator that owns taxi plates and leases them to drivers.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class are primarily engaged in:
- Leasing the right to use a recognised brand name or trademark.
- Licensing franchise agreements to independent operators.
- Leasing rights to patented inventions or proprietary processes.
- Leasing government-allocated rights, such as taxi cab plates or radio spectrum licenses.
- Licensing rights to specialised horticultural plant varieties.
- On-leasing rights for mineral exploration to mining companies.
Exclusions and nearby codes
The most significant exclusion for this class is any activity involving copyrighted assets. If a business derives income from leasing the right to use or reproduce copyrighted works—such as software, music, films, or books—it is not classified here. These activities fall under the appropriate classes within Division J: Information Media and Telecommunications.
This class is part of a hierarchy. It sits within Group 664, which has the same title, under Subdivision 66 (Rental and Hiring Services except Real Estate).
Practical guidance
If your business operates in this sector, you will need to register for an Australian Business Number (ABN). When completing your business tax return, you must declare all income derived from leasing these intangible assets. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) uses this classification for data collection, and your assigned code may be used on various government forms.
For insurance purposes, your workers' compensation premium may be influenced by your ANZSIC code. Furthermore, some industry-specific grants or reporting requirements may be linked to this classification. It is important to select the code that most accurately reflects your primary revenue-generating activity. The corresponding Business Industry Code (BIC) for this class is 66400.