Gain contingencies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Gain contingencies	7. Gain contingencies: ATEL filed a claim on behalf of certain of its Funds for the under-reporting of revenue by a fleet manager of three marine vessels, seeking to recover an approximate $2.8 million for the years 2005 – 2007 (of which the Company’s portion is an approximate $350 thousand). Such amounts are not considered material to any of the Funds in any given year. While the Funds' recovery with respect to this matter may be substantial, there is no assurance that judgment will be rendered in favor of the Funds. The trial date for this matter has been rescheduled several times, and the suit has now started trial as of the end of July 2012 under a newly-appointed Federal Judge. The outcome of this claim remains uncertain.

Gain contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

7. Gain contingencies:

ATEL filed a claim on behalf of certain of its Funds for the under-reporting of revenue by a fleet manager of three marine vessels, seeking to recover an approximate $2.8 million for the years 2005 – 2007 (of which the Company’s portion is an approximate $350 thousand). Such amounts are not considered material to any of the Funds in any given year. While the Funds' recovery with respect to this matter may be substantial, there is no assurance that judgment will be rendered in favor of the Funds. The trial date for this matter has been rescheduled several times, and the suit has now started trial as of the end of July 2012 under a newly-appointed Federal Judge. The outcome of this claim remains uncertain.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details