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Patents (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Patents, accumulated amortization | $ 126,795,000 |  | $ 112,323,000
Weighted average useful life of patents and patent rights | 7 years |  |
Investments in patents/ patent rights | 987,000 | 4,010,000 |
Patent acquisition costs included in accrued expenses | 15,250,000 | 0 |
Accelerated amortization expense - up-front payments | 48,000 | 483,000 |
Accelerated amortization expense (impairment) | $ 2,565,000 |  |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life of patents and patent rights | 1 year |  |
Finite lived intangible asset acquired during the year, useful life | 4 years |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Useful life of patents and patent rights | 10 years |  |
Finite lived intangible asset acquired during the year, useful life | 10 years |  |

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