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Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted	200,000	0	200,000	0
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock			3 years
Contractual terms			10 years
Stock-based compensation plans, number of additional shares authorized for future grants			897,000
Closing price per share of Digimarc common stock	$ 36.60		$ 36.60
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock			3 years
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock			1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock			4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock			3 years