Patents and Licenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Patents and Licenses

(3)  Patents and Licenses

Purchased patents and licenses paid for the use of other entities’ patents are amortized over the useful life of the patent or license.  The following tables provide information regarding patents and licenses (dollars in thousands):

December 31, 2011						December 31, 2010
Weighted Average Original Life (years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Weighted Average Original Life (years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	14.88	$	11,690	$	10,691		14.76	$	11,668	$	10,419

Aggregate amortization expense for patents and licenses was $272,000 for 2011, $272,000 for 2010 and $343,000 for 2009.  Estimated future amortization expense for each of the years set forth below ending December 31, is as follows (in thousands):

2012	$	162
2013	$	162
2014	$	162
2015	$	162
2016	$	162