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Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Contingencies [Abstract] |
Contingencies [Text Block] |
(14) | Contingencies
Roper, in the ordinary course of business, is the subject of, or a party to, various pending or threatened legal actions, including product liability and employment practices. It is vigorously contesting all lawsuits that, in general, are based upon claims of the kind that have been customary over the past several years. After analyzing the Company's contingent liabilities on a gross basis and, based upon past experience with resolution of its product liability and employment practices claims and the limits of the primary, excess, and umbrella liability insurance coverages that are available with respect to pending claims, management believes that adequate provision has been made to cover any potential liability not covered by insurance, and that the ultimate liability, if any, arising from these actions should not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of Roper. Over recent years there has been a significant increase in certain U.S. states in asbestos-related litigation claims against numerous industrial companies. Roper or its subsidiaries have been named defendants in some such cases. No significant resources have been required by Roper to respond to these cases and Roper believes it has valid defenses to such claims and, if required, intends to defend them vigorously. Given the state of these claims it is not possible to determine the potential liability, if any. Roper's rent expense was $29.7 million, $29.1 million and $27.0 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Roper's future minimum property lease commitments totaled $116.3 million at December 31, 2011. These commitments included $28.6 million in 2012, $23.3 million in 2013, $20.9 million in 2014, $17.1 million in 2015, $12.5 million in 2016 and $13.9 million thereafter. A summary of the Company's warranty accrual activity is presented below (in thousands):
|  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |  |  | 2009 |
Balance, beginning of year |  | $ | 7,038 |  |  | $ | 7,341 |  |  | $ | 9,885 |
Additions charged to costs and expenses |  |  | 8,846 |  |  |  | 5,671 |  |  |  | 4,416 |
Deductions |  |  | (7,716 | ) |  |  | (5,895 | ) |  |  | (7,659 | )
Other |  |  | (21 | ) |  |  | (79 | ) |  |  | 699 |
Balance, end of year |  | $ | 8,147 |  |  | $ | 7,038 |  |  | $ | 7,341 |
Other included warranty balances at acquired businesses at the dates of acquisition, the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments, reclassifications and other. At December 31, 2011 the Company had outstanding surety bonds of $313 million.

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- Definition Describes and quantifies the loss contingencies that were reported in the period or disclosed as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9-12, 22-40 + Details
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