XML 19 R48.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets Cost and Accumulated Amortization (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Patents [Line Items] |  |  |
Patents, net | $ 288,432 | $ 313,529 |
Patent cost, disposals | 3,500 | 5,500 | 4,612
Accumulated amortization, disposals | 1,753 | 2,466 | 3,509
Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets | 1,000 | 2,792 | 11,000
Other costs, related to patent-related sales and disposals | 0 | 0 | 4,717
Patents [Member] |  |  |
Patents [Line Items] |  |  |
Gross carrying amount - patents | 400,755 | 383,379 |
Accumulated amortization - patents | 112,323 | 69,850 |
Patents, net | $ 288,432 | $ 313,529 |

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

X
- Definition Other costs, related to patent-related sales and disposals + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_Othercostsrelatedtopatentrelatedsalesanddisposals
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Patent cost, disposals + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_PatentCostDisposals
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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 Patents, Gross + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_PatentsGross
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying value for patents, net of accumulated amortization. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | actg_PatentsNetOfAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | actg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The cash inflow from disposal of 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 Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration