Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies Litigation We are the subject of various pending or threatened legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. All such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. Additionally, our audio and video information business is subject to allegations of patent infringement by our competitors as well as by non-practicing entities (NPEs), sometimes referred to as “patent trolls,” who may seek monetary settlements from us, our competitors, suppliers and resellers. Consequently, as of March 31, 2012, we are unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of any monetary liability or financial impact that we may incur with respect to these matters. While these matters could materially affect operating results depending upon the final resolution in future periods, it is our opinion that after final disposition, any monetary liability beyond that provided in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012 would not be material to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. On June 14, 2011, Trek 2000 International Ltd and certain of its affiliates (Trek) filed a complaint asking the International Trade Commission (ITC) to commence an investigation against us and various others. Trek alleges that Imation and others unlawfully import and sell into the United States certain USB portable storage devices that allegedly infringe several of Trek's U.S. patents. Trek seeks to block the importation of the allegedly offending products into the United States. On August 15, 2011, we filed an answer to Trek's complaint, denying liability and asserting that Trek fails to meet certain requirements to bring its complaint to the ITC. The hearing is scheduled for May 9-16, 2012; the initial determination is expected July 19, 2012; and the target date for the completion of this investigation is November 19, 2012. Although this proceeding is subject to the uncertainties inherent in the litigation process, based on the information presently available to us, management does not expect that the ultimate resolution of this action will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. On June 19, 2009 Advanced Research Corp. (ARC) sued Imation in Ramsey County District Court for breach of contract relating to a supply agreement under which we purchased our requirements for magnetic heads to write servo patterns on magnetic tape prior to sale of the finished cartridges, requesting the court to order that Imation pay damages and return the purchased heads to ARC. In September 2011 we agreed to a settlement of $2.0 million which was paid during the three months ended March 31, 2012. Copyright Levies

Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

We are the subject of various pending or threatened legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. All such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. Additionally, our audio and video information business is subject to allegations of patent infringement by our competitors as well as by non-practicing entities (NPEs), sometimes referred to as “patent trolls,” who may seek monetary settlements from us, our competitors, suppliers and resellers. Consequently, as of March 31, 2012, we are unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of any monetary liability or financial impact that we may incur with respect to these matters. While these matters could materially affect operating results depending upon the final resolution in future periods, it is our opinion that after final disposition, any monetary liability beyond that provided in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012 would not be material to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

On June 14, 2011, Trek 2000 International Ltd and certain of its affiliates (Trek) filed a complaint asking the International Trade Commission (ITC) to commence an investigation against us and various others. Trek alleges that Imation and others unlawfully import and sell into the United States certain USB portable storage devices that allegedly infringe several of Trek's U.S. patents. Trek seeks to block the importation of the allegedly offending products into the United States. On August 15, 2011, we filed an answer to Trek's complaint, denying liability and asserting that Trek fails to meet certain requirements to bring its complaint to the ITC. The hearing is scheduled for May 9-16, 2012; the initial determination is expected July 19, 2012; and the target date for the completion of this investigation is November 19, 2012. Although this proceeding is subject to the uncertainties inherent in the litigation process, based on the information presently available to us, management does not expect that the ultimate resolution of this action will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On June 19, 2009 Advanced Research Corp. (ARC) sued Imation in Ramsey County District Court for breach of contract relating to a supply agreement under which we purchased our requirements for magnetic heads to write servo patterns on magnetic tape prior to sale of the finished cartridges, requesting the court to order that Imation pay damages and return the purchased heads to ARC. In September 2011 we agreed to a settlement of $2.0 million which was paid during the three months ended March 31, 2012.