Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Nov. 28, 2011 OP Japan	Dec. 31, 2011 OP Japan	Dec. 09, 2011 Iconix China	Dec. 31, 2011 Iconix China
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Net gain recognized on sale of interest in subsidiary					$ 5,600,000	$ 5,600,000	$ 12,700,000
Equity (earnings) loss on joint ventures		10,353,000	5,492,000	3,424,000			6,400,000	6,400,000
Net gain related to specific litigation	15,700,000	(94,000)	15,688,000	(137,000)
Write down value of auction securities	$ (13,000,000)		$ (13,000,000)