Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Daily Journal Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sustain.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentrations of Credit Risk:  The Company extends unsecured credit to most of its advertising customers.  The Company recognizes that extending credit and setting appropriate reserves for receivables is largely a subjective decision based on knowledge of the customer and the industry. Credit exposure also includes the amount of estimated unbilled sales.  Credit limits, setting and maintaining credit standards, and managing the overall quality of the credit portfolio is largely centralized.  The level of credit is influenced by the customer’s credit and payment history which the Company monitors when establishing a reserve.

The Company maintains the reserve account for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  If the financial conditions of its customers were to deteriorate or its judgments about their abilities to pay are incorrect, additional allowances might be required and its results of operations could be materially affected.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash equivalents:  The Company considers all highly liquid investments, including U.S. Treasury Bills with a maturity of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:  The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their short maturities. In addition, the Company has investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and marketable securities, all categorized as “available-for-sale” and stated at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 820.  At September 30, 2012, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s U.S. Treasury Bills and marketable securities was $102,956,000.  These investments had approximately $52,464,000 of net unrealized gains, consisting of gross unrealized gains of $54,653,000 and gross unrealized losses of $2,189,000 of which $1,209,000 were unrealized losses over one year.  The U.S. Treasury Bills have maturity dates of less than one year, and the bonds have a maturity date in 2039.   The bonds are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale.  At September 30, 2011, the Company had U.S. Treasury Bills and marketable securities at fair market value of approximately $69,216,000, including approximately $24,532,000 of unrealized gains, consisting of gross unrealized gains of $28,983,000 and gross unrealized losses of $4,451,000.

   Investment in Financial Instruments

	September 30, 2012						September 30, 2011
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	800,000	$	800,000	$	---	$	13,100,000	$	13,100,000	$	---
Marketable securities
Common stocks		94,061,000		44,761,000		49,300,000		48,393,000		26,655,000		21,738,000
Bonds		8,095,000		4,931,000		3,164,000		7,723,000		4,929,000		2,794,000
Total	$	102,956,000	$	50,492,000	$	52,464,000	$	69,216,000	$	44,684,000	$	24,532,000

The Company performed separate evaluations for impaired equity securities quarterly to determine if the unrealized losses were other-than-temporary. This evaluation considered a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities until fair value recovers.  The assessment of the ability and intent to hold these securities to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management and portfolio objectives.  In June 2012, the Company concluded that the unrealized losses related to the marketable securities of one issuer were other-than-temporary and thus recorded impairment losses of $2,855,000 ($1,720,000 net of taxes).  This does not necessarily indicate the loss in value of these securities is permanent. U.S. GAAP requires that the Company recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses in earnings rather than in accumulated comprehensive income when the security prices remain below cost for a period of time that may be deemed excessive even in instances where the Company possesses the ability and intent to hold the security.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories:  Inventories, comprised of newsprint and paper, are stated at cost, on a first-in, first-out basis, which does not exceed current market value.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income taxes:  The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes and the tax basis of the assets and liabilities.  The  Company  records  liabilities  related  to  uncertain  tax  positions  in  accordance  with  FASB ASC 740.   At September 30, 2012, there was no unrecognized tax liability for the uncertain tax positions as the Company settled the previously claimed research and development credits in its tax returns for the years 2002 to 2007 with the Internal Revenue Service in March 2012.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, plant and equipment:  Property, plant and equipment are carried on the basis of cost.  Depreciation of assets is provided in amounts sufficient to depreciate the cost of related assets over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 – 39 years.  At September 30, 2012, the estimated useful lives were (i) 5 – 39years for building and improvements, (ii) 3 – 5 years for furniture, office equipment and software, and (iii) 3 – 10 years for machinery and equipment.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the related leases or the useful life of the assets, whichever is shorter.  Assets are depreciated using the straight-line method for financial statements and accelerated method for tax purposes.

Significant expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing assets are capitalized.  Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.  Gains or losses on dispositions of assets are reflected in current earnings.

Research, Development, and Computer Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Sustain Software:  The Company is continuing its internal Sustain software development efforts. Costs related to the research and development of new Sustain software products are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility of the product has been established, at which time such costs are capitalized, subject to expected recoverability.  In general, “technological feasibility” is achieved when the developer has established the necessary skills, hardware and technology to produce a product and a detailed program design has been (i) completed, (ii) traced to the product specifications and (iii) reviewed for high-risk development issues. If these developments are not successful, there will be a significant and adverse impact on the Company’s ability to maximize its existing investment in the Sustain software, to service its existing customers, and to compete for new opportunities in the case management software business. Sustain expensed personnel costs of $4,415,000 and $3,877,000 for the development and implementation of its Web-based case management system during fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively.  These development and implementation costs will materially impact earnings at least through the foreseeable future.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition:  Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term.  Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions.

The Company recognizes revenues from both the lease and sale of software products in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605 Software Revenue Recognition.  Revenues from leases of software products are recognized over the life of the lease while revenues from software product sales are recognized normally upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement.  Revenues from annual maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period.  Consulting and other services are recognized upon acceptance by the customers.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Management Incentive Plan:  In fiscal 1987 the Company implemented a Management Incentive Plan that entitles a participant to participate in pre-tax earnings of the Company.  In 2003 the Company modified the Plan to provide participants with three different types of non-negotiable incentive certificates based on the nature of the particular participants’ responsibilities.  Each certificate entitles the participant to a specified share of the applicable pre-tax earnings in the year of grant and to receive the same percentage of pre-tax earnings in each of the next nine years provided they remain with the Company or are in retirement after working for the Company to age 65.  If a participant dies while any of his or her certificates remain outstanding, future payments under those certificates will be made to the deceased participant’s beneficiaries.  During fiscal 2012, the Company added a supplemental Addendum to the Sustain Certificate.  This Addendum defines how the value of a Sustain Certificate will be paid upon a triggering event such as a sale of Sustain or an initial public offering.  Certificate interests entitled participants to receive 3.60% and 3.55% (amounting to $513,500 and $548,480, respectively) of Daily Journal non-consolidated income before taxes, workers’ compensation, supplemental compensation and extraordinary items, 8.23% and 5.73% (amounting to $0 for both years) for Sustain and 8.2% and 8.2% (amounting to $936,840 and $1,090,760, respectively) for Daily Journal consolidated in fiscal 2012 and 2011.  One major participant in the Plan is over 65 but not retired, and the Company has accrued $4,200,000 for the Plan’s future commitment, which includes a decrease in fiscal 2012 of $470,000 due to reduced consolidated pretax profits before the expenses for the Plan.

Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net income per common share:   The net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year.  The shares used in the calculation were 1,380,746 for both fiscal 2012 and 2011.  The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore basic and diluted net income per share is the same.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates:  The presentation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:  The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.  An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, in which case a write-down is recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value.  There were no such impairments identified during fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Accounting Standards Adopted Current Year [Policy Text Block]

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2012:  On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, an amendment to ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  The ASU changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

In March 2012 the Company adopted early the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) -- Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This adoption provides only a different presentation of the Company’s comprehensive income and has no impact on its financial statements.