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Patents (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Patents [Abstract] |
Patents | The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization related to investments in intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
Gross carrying amount - patents |  | $ | 326,167 |  |  | $ | 444,137 |
Accumulated amortization - patents(1) |  | (319,580 | ) |  | (382,220 | )
Patents, net |  | $ | 6,587 |  |  | $ | 61,917 |
Patent costs and accumulated amortization related to patent sales and disposals [Table Text Block] | For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, capitalized patent costs, accumulated amortization and impairment charges, and sales proceeds related to patent-related sales and disposals are as follows (in thousands):
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
Capitalized patent costs |  | $ | 117,970 |  |  | $ | — |
Accumulated amortization / impairment charges |  | 109,663 |  |  | — |
Sales proceeds |  | 14,500 |  |  | — |

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