Ownership Percent of Voting Stock

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Increase By Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Increase Per Year

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Purchase price of common stock expressed as a percentage of its fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Stock-Based Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Ownership percent of voting stock	10.00%actg_OwnershipPercentOfVotingStock
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 518,000	$ 2,024,000	$ 1,796,000
Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance	3,500,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted	$ 14.41	$ 24.31	$ 32.17
Aggregate fair value of restricted stock vested	21,490,000	22,317,000	28,865,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense for nonvested awards	15,012,000
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized	1 year 8 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted	$ 14.33	$ 0.00	$ 29.39
Aggregate fair value of restricted stock vested	460,000	469,000	363,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense for nonvested awards	$ 475,000
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized	1 year 8 months
2007 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Increase in number of shares available, percentage of outstanding shares on last trading day of prior December				2.00%
Number of shares available for grant	0				560,000
Discretionary Option Grant Program [Member] \| Nonstatutory Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Percentage of fair market value on grant date, minimum exercise price	85.00%
Stock Issuance Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Percentage of fair market value on grant date, minimum exercise price	100.00%
2002 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Increase in number of shares available, percentage of outstanding shares on last trading day of prior December	3.00%
Maximum number of shares available increase per year	500,000
Aggregate shares available for issuance	20,000,000
2013 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number of shares available for grant	4,750,000
Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance	3,243,000
Less than 10% [Member] \| Discretionary Option Grant Program [Member] \| Incentive Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Percentage of fair market value on grant date, minimum exercise price	100.00%
10% or More [Member] \| Discretionary Option Grant Program [Member] \| Incentive Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Percentage of fair market value on grant date, minimum exercise price	110.00%