Represents the pre-judgment interest related to the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

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- Definition

Represents security posted by the appealing party (who has lost a lawsuit in a lower court) to compensate the opposing party for the legal expenses in case it wins also in the higher (appellate) court.

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Represents the days within which supersedeas bond has to be deposited as ordered by the court.

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- Definition

Represents the amount of the bond to permit importation expressed as a percentage of the entered value of the subject imports.

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Represents the number of phases in a suit filed against the entity.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the extended number of days of the investigation by the International trade Commission (ITC).

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of years, over which the royalty rates are considered for license agreement.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of asserted Ware patents.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of other cases pending before the court.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of patent claim for which certain claims were removed.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of invalid patent claims.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of valid patent claims.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of patents in suit or infringed.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of claims infringed of the asserted Barth patents.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Represents the number of claims infringed of the asserted Ware patents.

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of claims infringed of the Barth and Ware patents.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of patents previously infringed.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the presidential review period (in days).

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the revised maximum royalty rates per unit for DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR3 and GDDR4 memory controllers.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the revised maximum royalty rate per unit for SDR memory.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum royalty rate of percentage for DDR SDRAM as declared by the court.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum royalty rate of percentage for SDR SDRAM as declared by the court.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum royalty rates per unit for DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR3 and GDDR4 memory controllers.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Represents the maximum royalty rate per unit for SDR memory.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the minimum settlement value for the entity.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents stock options relinquished for claim settlement.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents number of claims not asserted.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of class action lawsuits.

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Name:	rmbs_NumberOfClassActionLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of entities added as defendants.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of patent claims elected to proceed to trial.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of rounds of post-hearing briefs.

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents number of shareholders whose derivative actions were filed.

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Namespace Prefix:	rmbs
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the expenses incurred by the entity which are directly related and attributable to receiving an award in settlement of litigation.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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- Definition

The payments made in the period which reduced loss contingency liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

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The charge against earnings in the period to increase loss contingency liabilities, net of any adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges.

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- Definition

The total amount of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency accrual as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 27
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

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Litigation and Asserted Claims (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended								15 Months Ended	37 Months Ended				1 Months Ended							1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2010 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	May 31, 2009 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Apr. 30, 2009 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Mar. 31, 2009 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Jul. 31, 2006 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Apr. 30, 2006 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Dec. 31, 2005 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Aug. 31, 2000 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Apr. 30, 2010 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Jan. 31, 2009 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Oct. 18, 2010 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Jun. 26, 2009 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Apr. 24, 2007 Hynix Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Jan. 31, 2009 Micron Litigation - U.S. District Court in Delaware	Aug. 31, 2000 Micron Litigation - U.S. District Court in Delaware	Nov. 30, 2008 Micron Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Sep. 30, 2008 Micron Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Jan. 31, 2006 Micron Litigation - U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California	Dec. 31, 2001 Micron Litigation - European Patent Infringement Cases	Sep. 04, 2008 DDR2, DDR3, gDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4 Litigation ("DDR2") - U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California	Apr. 30, 2010 European Commission Competition Directorate-General	Dec. 31, 2009 European Commission Competition Directorate-General	Jun. 30, 2011 European Commission Competition Directorate-General	May 05, 2004 Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco	Jan. 31, 2009 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	Mar. 31, 2008 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	Jul. 31, 2006 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	Jun. 30, 2008 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	Aug. 24, 2007 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	Mar. 01, 2007 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	May 31, 2006 Stock Option Investigation Related Claims	Dec. 31, 2008 NVIDIA Litigation - U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California	Jul. 31, 2008 NVIDIA Litigation - U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California	Sep. 16, 2008 NVIDIA Litigation - U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California	Jul. 31, 2010 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	May 31, 2010 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	Jan. 31, 2010 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	Jun. 30, 2009 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	Jul. 26, 2010 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	Jan. 22, 2010 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	Oct. 20, 2009 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission	Nov. 06, 2008 NVIDIA Litigation - International Trade Commission
Loss Contingencies
Number of phases in a case								3							3
Damages awarded by court	$ 0.76			$ 397.00	$ 134.00	$ 307.00	$ 134.00			$ 215.00
Number of patent claims valid						10																													3		3
Number of patent claims infringed or in suit						8								12	12	16	12	14														9	17				3	4
Number of patent claim for which certain claims were removed																																						fifth
Number of patent claims previously infringed						2
Number of patent claims elected to proceed to trial																				12
Maximum royalty rate of percentage for SDR SDRAM (as a percent)							1.00%		1.00%
Maximum royalty rate of percentage for DDR SDRAM (as a percent)							4.25%		4.25%													1.50%
Number of other cases pending													3
Pre-judgment interest										48
Cost bill			0.85
Period for deposit of supersedeas bond (in days)		45
Supersedeas bond											401.2	250.0
Number of appeals																			2
Number of patent claims invalid															8
Period of license agreement (in years)																						5
Royalty rate of percentage for SDR (as a percent)																					1.50%
Reduced royalty rate of percentage for SDR (as a percent)																							1.00%
Royalty rate of percentage for DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR4 (as a percent)																					2.65%
Reduced royalty rate of percentage for DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR4 (as a percent)																							2.00%
Number of Samsung-related entities added as defendants																								3
Number of shareholders whose actions were filed																														2	3
Minimum settlement value																													5.3
Minimum stock options relinquished for claim settlement (in shares)																													2.7
Accrued litigation expenses																												2.0
Accrued litigation expenses paid																									2.0
Number of class action lawsuits																											6
Litigation settlement paid																										$ 18.3
Number of claims that remain in suit																																		15
Number of claims infringed of the Barth and Ware patents																																										9
Number of rounds of post-hearing briefs																																									2
Number of claims infringed of the asserted Barth patents																																							17	17
Number of claims infringed of the asserted Ware patents																																								8
Number of asserted Ware patents																																								2
Extended number of days of investigation																																				2
Presidential review period (in days)																																			60
Bond value as a percentage of the import value (as a percent)																																			2.65%