XML 19 R29.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |  | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2013 Minimum [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013 Maximum [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Patents, accumulated amortization | $ 81,580,000 |  | $ 69,850,000 |  |  |  |
Useful life of patents and patent rights |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  | 9 years
Weighted average useful life of patents and patent rights | 7 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Patent acquisition costs paid | 4,010,000 | 2,100,000 |  |  |  |  |
Finite lived intangible asset acquired during the year, useful life |  |  |  | 1 year |  | 10 years |
Accelerated amortization expense - up-front payments | $ 483,000 | $ 442,000 |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Accelerated amortization expense related to up-front patent acquisition costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_AcceleratedAmortizationExpenseUpFrontPayments
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Patents, Accumulated Amortization + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_PatentsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16265-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow to acquire asset without physical form usually arising from contractual or other legal rights, excluding goodwill. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15 -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 -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph c -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. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration