(1) Upon every person engaging within this state in the business of receiving income from royalties or charges in the nature of royalties for the granting of intangible rights, such as copyrights, licenses, patents, or franchise fees, the amount of tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the gross income from royalties or charges in the nature of royalties from the business multiplied by the rate of 0.484 percent.

     (2) For the purposes of this section, "royalties" means compensation for the use of intangible property, such as copyrights, patents, licenses, franchises, trademarks, trade names, and similar items. It does not include compensation for any natural resource, the licensing of prewritten computer software to the end user, or the licensing or use of digital goods, digital codes, or digital automated services.

[2009 c 535 § 407; 2001 c 320 § 3; 1998 c 331 § 1.]

NOTES:

     Intent -- Construction -- 2009 c 535: See notes following RCW 82.04.192.

     Effective date -- 2001 c 320: See note following RCW 11.02.005.

     Effective date -- 1998 c 331: "This act takes effect July 1, 1998." [1998 c 331 § 3.]