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Patents (Details) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Patents, accumulated amortization | $ 152,838,000 |  | $ 112,323,000
Weighted average useful life of patents and patent rights | 6 years |  |
Investments in patents/ patent rights | 24,518,000 | 10,416,000 |
Patent acquisition costs included in accrued expenses | 2,000,000 | 9,750,000 |
Accelerated amortization expense - up-front payments | 1,186,000 | 593,000 |
Accelerated amortization expense (termination) | 2,702,000 | 1,631,000 |
Proceeds from patent sale | 3,500,000 |  |
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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