Segment Information (Segment Results) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 49,850	[1]	$ 65,526	[1]	$ 106,643	[1]	$ 132,490	[1]
Cost of revenue	19,519	[2]	25,962	[2]	40,025	[2]	53,389	[2]
Gain on sale of patent and other technology assets, net of costs	0		117,933		0		116,353
Gross profit	30,331		39,564		66,618		79,101
Operating expenses	46,835		53,329		94,548		109,828
Operating income (loss)	(16,504)		104,168		(27,930)		85,626
RealPlayer Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	18,383		22,158		40,766		44,239
Cost of revenue	4,409		4,727		9,720		9,291
Gross profit	13,974		17,431		31,046		34,948
Operating expenses	14,001		12,792		30,207		28,767
Operating income (loss)	(27)		4,639		839		6,181
Mobile Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	18,592		26,005		39,087		51,780
Cost of revenue	11,170		14,875		22,002		30,353
Gross profit	7,422		11,130		17,085		21,427
Operating expenses	8,412		13,851		17,523		28,655
Operating income (loss)	(990)		(2,721)		(438)		(7,228)
Games
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	12,875		17,363		26,790		36,471
Cost of revenue	3,381		5,630		7,181		12,343
Gross profit	9,494		11,733		19,609		24,128
Operating expenses	11,755		13,801		23,607		27,939
Operating income (loss)	(2,261)		(2,068)		(3,998)		(3,811)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of revenue	559		730		1,122		1,402
Gain on sale of patent and other technology assets, net of costs	0		117,933		0		116,353
Operating expenses	12,667		12,885		23,211		24,467
Operating income (loss)	$ (13,226)		$ 104,318		$ (24,333)		$ 90,484

[1] quartersytd June 30, 2013 June 30, 2012June 30, 2013June 30, 2012Components of Revenue License Fees10,162 14,224$22,99129,180Service Revenue39,688 51,30283,652103,310Net Revenue49,850 65,526$106,643132,490

[2] Components of Cost of RevenueJune 30, 2013 June 30, 2012 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2012License Fees2,161 2,645 4,315 5,917Service Revenue17,358 23,317 35,710 47,472Net Revenue Costs19,519 25,962 40,025 53,389