Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 14, 2012
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Competitive Technologies Inc.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	true
Entity Central Index Key	0000102198
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,237,304
Entity Public Float		$ 8.8
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Description	1