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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 254	$ 183
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, excluding goodwill	$ 2,267		$ 2,250

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

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