TPG2017 Chapter II Annex II example 4

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16. The facts in this example are the same as in Example 3, except that the marketing activities performed by Company B are more limited and do not significantly enhance the goodwill or reputation associated with the trademark. Company B has a mechanism whereby customer feedback on the products it sells is relayed to Company A, but this is a relatively simple process, and does not constitute a unique and valuable contribution. In sum, its distribution activities are not a particular source of competitive advantage in its industry. In particular, the potential success of the new line of products is largely dependent on its technical specifications, its design, and the price at which the products are sold to final customers.
17. The functional analysis concludes that Company A assumes the risks associated with the design, development and manufacturing of the product and Company B assumes the risks relating to marketing and distribution.
18. Marketing and distribution risks assumed by Company B may impact on the ultimate profitability of Company A. However, the functional analysis determines that the risks assumed by Company B are not economically significant for the business operations and that Company B does not make any unique and valuable contributions in relation to the controlled transaction.
19. Under these circumstances, the transactional profit split method may not be the most appropriate method as it is likely that the arm’s length compensation for the contribution of Company B can be reliably benchmarked by reference to comparable uncontrolled transactions and the application of a one-sided transfer pricing method or methods.

 

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