Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Use of estimates [Policy Text Block]	*Use of estimates* The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the assessment of collectability of revenue recognized, and the valuation of amounts receivable, inventory, investments, assets acquired, deferred income tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets, liabilities, and stock-based compensation. These estimates have the potential to significantly impact our consolidated financial statements, either because of the significance of the financial statement item to which they relate, or because they require judgment and estimation due to the uncertainty involved in measuring, at a specific point in time, events that are continuous in nature.
Asset liquidation accounting [Policy Text Block]	*Asset liquidation accounting* The Company’s asset liquidation transactions are generally conducted through two different formats. GAAP requires that they be reported separately in the consolidated financial statements. The majority of asset liquidation transactions are conducted directly by the Company. Revenue is reported as Asset Liquidation revenue, and the associated direct costs are reported as Asset Liquidation costs. At the balance sheet date, any unsold assets are reported as Inventory, any outstanding accounts receivable are included in the Company’s Amounts Receivable, and any associated liabilities are included in the Company’s Accrued Liabilities. Although all inventory is expected to be sold in less than one year, real estate inventory is not recorded as a current asset. The remaining transactions involve the Company acting jointly with one or more additional purchasers, pursuant to a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company (“LLC”) agreement (collectively, “Joint Ventures”). For these transactions, the Company’s proportionate share of the net income (loss) is reported as Earnings (Loss) of Equity Accounted Asset Liquidation Investments. At each balance sheet date, the Company’s investments in these Joint Ventures are reported in the consolidated balance sheet as Asset Liquidation Investments. Although the Company expects to exit each of its investments in Joint Ventures in less than one year, they are reported on the balance sheet as non-current Asset Liquidation Investments. The Company monitors the value of the Joint Ventures’ underlying assets and liabilities, and records a write down of its investments if the Company concludes that there has been a decline in the value of the net assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	*Cash and cash equivalents* The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions in Toronto, Canada; New York, NY and San Diego, CA. These accounts may from time to time exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts.
Amounts receivable [Policy Text Block]	*Amounts receivable* The Company’s amounts receivable primarily relate to the operations of its asset liquidation business. They consist of three major categories: fees and retainers relating to appraisals and auctions, receivables from asset sales, and receivables from Joint Venture partners. The initial value of an amount receivable corresponds to the fair value of the underlying goods or services. To date all receivables have been classified as current and, due to their short-term nature, any decline in fair value would be due to issues involving collectability. At each financial statement date the collectability of each outstanding amount receivable is evaluated, and an allowance is recorded if the book value exceeds the amount that is deemed collectable. Collectability is determined on the basis of payment history. See Note 6 for more detail regarding the Company’s amounts receivable.
Inventory [Policy Text Block]	*Inventory* The Company’s inventory consists of assets acquired for resale, which are normally expected to be sold within a one-year operating cycle. They are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value. During 2012 the Company recorded write downs of $363 on its real estate inventory and $210 on its equipment inventory, both of which were reported as part of Asset Liquidation Expenses. There were no write downs during 2013.
Investments [Policy Text Block]	*Investments* At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the Company held two investments in private companies, both of which were accounted for under the equity method. Under this method, the investments are carried at cost, plus or minus the Company’s share of increases and decreases, respectively, in the investee’s net assets and certain other adjustments. Impairments, equity pick-ups, and realized gains and losses on equity securities are reported separately in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company monitors its investments for impairment by considering factors such as the economic environment and market conditions, as well as the operational performance of, and other specific factors relating to, the businesses underlying the investments. The fair values of the securities are estimated quarterly using the best available information as of the evaluation date, such as recent financing rounds of the investee, and other investee-specific information. See Note 5 for further discussion of the Company’s investments.
Fair value of financial instruments [Policy Text Block]	*Fair value of financial instruments* The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instruments could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the carrying values of the Company’s cash, amounts receivable, receivable from a related party, deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and debt payable to a third party approximate fair value. There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy: Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 – significant other observable inputs; and Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs. Although the Company does not employ fair value accounting for any of its assets or liabilities, in assessing the fair values of its financial instruments, the Company applies the Level 1, 2 and 3 valuation principles required by GAAP.
Assets and liabilities acquired [Policy Text Block]	*Assets and liabilities acquired* In the course of its operations, most recently with respect to the HGP acquisition in February 2012, the Company acquires assets and liabilities as components of a business combination. Valuations are assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities based primarily on management’s assessment of their fair market value. With respect to the acquisition of HGP, the Company engaged the services of an independent third party to assist management with management's determination of the value of the acquired intangible assets and goodwill.
Intangible assets [Policy Text Block]	*Intangible assets* Intangible assets are recorded at fair value upon acquisition and are amortized over their estimated lives. The Company monitors events and changes in circumstances which require an assessment of recoverability. If the carrying amount of the intangible assets is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized in the statement of operations, determined by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. At December 31, 2013 the Company’s intangible assets relate to its acquisition of HGP in February 2012. See Note 2 and Note 6 for more detail regarding the Company’s intangible assets.
Goodwill [Policy Text Block]	*Goodwill* Goodwill, which results from the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, is not amortized but is tested annually at December 31 for impairment in accordance with GAAP. Testing is a two-step process, in which the carrying amount of the reporting unit associated with the goodwill is first compared to the reporting unit’s estimated fair value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the fair values of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities are analyzed to determine whether the goodwill of the reporting unit has been impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the Company’s recorded goodwill exceeds its implied fair value as determined by this two-step process. FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment , provides the option to perform a qualitative assessment prior to performing the two-step process, which may eliminate the need for further testing. Goodwill, in addition to being tested for impairment annually, is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill may be impaired. At December 31, 2013 the Company’s goodwill relates to its acquisition of Equity Partners in June 2011 and its acquisition of HGP in February 2012. See Note 2 and Note 6 for more detail regarding the Company’s goodwill.
Deferred income tax assets [Policy Text Block]	*Deferred income tax assets* The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the amounts at which they are carried in the financial statements, based upon the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company establishes a valuation allowance when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In 2013, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $4,740 ; there were no similar transactions in 2012. See Note 10 for further discussion of the Company’s income taxes.
Liabilities and contingencies [Policy Text Block]	*Liabilities and contingencies* The Company is involved from time to time in various legal matters arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. On a case by case basis, the Company evaluates the likelihood of possible outcomes for this litigation. Based on this evaluation, the Company determines whether a liability accrual is appropriate. If the likelihood of a negative outcome is probable, and the amount is estimable, the Company accounts for the liability in the current period.
Asset liquidation revenue [Policy Text Block]	*Asset liquidation revenue* Asset liquidation revenue generally consists of commissions and fees from acting as the agent for asset sales by third parties, and gross proceeds from auctions and negotiated sales of asset inventory. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the amount of the proceeds is fixed, delivery terms are arranged and collectability is reasonably assured.
Stock-based compensation [Policy Text Block]	*Stock-based compensation* The Company’s stock-based compensation is primarily in the form of options to purchase common shares. The fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, and subsequently expensed over the vesting period. The provisions of the Company’s stock-based compensation plans do not require the Company to settle any options by transferring cash or other assets, and therefore the Company classifies the option awards as equity. See Note 14 for further discussion of the Company’s stock-based compensation.
Segment reporting [Policy Text Block]	*Segment reporting* Since the second quarter of 2009, the Company has operated in two business segments, Asset Liquidation and Intellectual Property Licensing. The asset liquidation segment includes the operations of HG LLC, Equity Partners and HGP. The intellectual property licensing segment includes all operations relating to licensing of the Company’s intellectual property. See Note 15 for further discussion of the Company’s segments.
Recent accounting pronouncements [Policy Text Block]	*Recent accounting pronouncements* In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, Other Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires entities to disclose additional information about items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Specifically, entities must report 1) changes in AOCI balances by component, including the income tax benefit or expense attributed to each component, and 2) significant items reclassified out of AOCI by component, either on the face of the income statement or as a separate footnote to the financial statements. ASU 2013-02 does not change the current GAAP requirement for a total for comprehensive income to be reported in financial statements in either a single continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2013-02 is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013. As the Company’s AOCI is immaterial, and consists solely of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments of a subsidiary, its adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Future accounting pronouncements [Policy Text Block]	*Future accounting pronouncements* In March 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 83) (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 specifies that a cumulative translation adjustment (CTA) is attached to a parent company’s investment in a foreign entity and should be released in a manner consistent with derecognition guidance on investments in entities. Therefore, the entire amount of the CTA associated with a foreign entity would be released upon 1) sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity, which represents the substantially complete liquidation of the investment in the entity, 2) loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity, or 3) step acquisition of a foreign entity. ASU 2013-05 does not change the requirement to release a pro rata portion of the CTA of the foreign entity into earnings for a partial sale of an equity method investment in a foreign entity. ASU 2013-05 is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2013-05 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit must be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. An exception to this presentation can be made when the carryforward or tax loss is not available at the reporting date under applicable tax law to settle taxes that would result from the disallowance of the tax position, or when the reporting entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for this purpose. In those circumstances, the unrecognized tax benefit would be presented as a liability. ASU 2013-11 does not require any additional disclosures. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of ASU 2013-11 on its consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure of the accounting policies for asset liquidation transactions that involve the Company acting jointly with one or more additional purchasers, pursuant to a Joint Venture agreement. These investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereby the Company's proportionate share of the Joint Ventures net income (loss) is reported in the consolidated statement of operations as Earnings (Loss) of Equity Accounted Asset Liquidation Investments.

No definition available.