Brand names, Williams$-$Sonoma, Inc., is a speciality retailer of products for the home. The retail segment of the company$$s business sells products through its retail concepts: Williams$-$Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn kids, PBteen, West Elm and Rejuvenation. The direct$-$to$-$customer segment sells similar products through its direct $-$mail catalogs and e$-$commerce websites. Williams$-$ Sonoma stores offer a wide selection of culinary and serving equipments, including cookware, cookbooks, cutlery, informal dinner wear, glassware and table linens. In addition, these stores carry a variety of quality foods, including a line of Williams$-$sonoma food products, such as gourmet coffees and pasta sauces. The Williams$-$Sonoma brand name is well known in the United States. Discuss why the company doesn$$t report its brand name as an asset on its balance sheet. Is the company$$s brand name reflected anywhere in its financial statements?

Do you feel there are any ethical issues involved when management decides to extend the depreciable life of its long$-$term assets in order to increase a company$$s expectations $?$