Legal Definitions - asset acquisition

Definition: Asset acquisition refers to the process of acquiring a company by purchasing all of its assets directly from the company itself, rather than buying shares from its shareholders. It is also known as asset purchase.

Example: Let's say Company A wants to acquire Company B. In an asset acquisition, Company A would purchase all of Company B's assets, such as its equipment, inventory, and intellectual property, directly from Company B. This means that Company A would not be buying any shares from Company B's shareholders.

Explanation: Asset acquisition is a type of acquisition where the buyer purchases the assets of the target company instead of buying its shares. This allows the buyer to pick and choose which assets it wants to acquire and which liabilities it wants to assume. In the example above, Company A can acquire only the assets it needs from Company B, without taking on any unwanted liabilities. This can be beneficial for both the buyer and the seller, as it allows for more flexibility in the transaction.