Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation, Policy

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information. The financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that management of PDL believes are necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented. These interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full fiscal year or for any subsequent interim period.

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012, has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date.

Principles of Consolidation, Policy

Principles of Consolidation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PDL and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Notes Receivable and Other Long-Term Receivables, Policy

Notes Receivable and Other Long-Term Receivables

We account for our notes receivable at amortized cost, net of unamortized origination fees, if any. Related fees and costs are recorded net of amounts reimbursed. Interest is accreted or accrued to interest income using the interest method.

Customer Concentration, Policy

Customer Concentration

The percentage of total revenue earned from our licensees’ net product sales, which individually accounted for ten percent or more of our total revenues, was:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
Licensee	Product Name	2013		2012
Genentech	Avastin®	36	%	30	%
	Herceptin®	33	%	33	%
	Lucentis®	13	%	14	%
Elan	Tysabri®	14	%	15	%

Foreign Currency Hedging, Policy

Foreign Currency Hedging

We enter into foreign currency hedges to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for speculative purposes.

We hedge certain Euro-denominated currency exposures related to our licensees’ product sales with Euro forward contracts and, in 2011, Euro forward and option contracts. In general, these contracts are intended to offset the underlying Euro market risk in our royalty revenues. These contracts extend through the fourth quarter of 2014. We designate foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge royalty revenues based on underlying Euro-denominated sales as cash flow hedges.

At the inception of the hedging relationship and on a quarterly basis, we assess hedge effectiveness. The fair value of the Euro contracts is estimated using pricing models with readily observable inputs from actively quoted markets and is disclosed on a gross basis. The aggregate unrealized gain or loss, net of tax, on the effective component of the hedge is recorded in stockholders’ deficit as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains or losses on cash flow hedges are recognized as an adjustment to royalty revenue in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts earnings as royalty revenue. Any gain or loss on the ineffective portions is reported in other income in the period the ineffectiveness occurs.

Comprehensive Income, Policy

Comprehensive Income

In the first quarter of 2012, we adopted FASB ASU 2011-05, and have presented the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Also in accordance with this ASU, we have applied this guidance retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of the guidance was a change to the presentation of other comprehensive income (loss) and had no effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 14 for our discussion of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2013, we adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2013-01, issued by the FASB, which requires new asset and liability offsetting disclosures for derivatives, repurchase agreements and security lending transactions to the extent that they are: (1) offset in the financial statements; or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. We do not have any repurchase agreements and do not participate in securities lending transactions. Our derivative instruments are not offset in the financial statements and are not subject to any right of offset provisions with our counterparties. Accordingly, this amendment did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Additional information about derivative instruments can be found in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

In February 2013, FASB amended ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income.” This amendment requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications (by component) out of accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition, this amendment requires companies to present the related line item effect of significant reclassifications on the statement where income is presented. We adopted the provisions of this amendment during the first quarter 2013, which affects only the display of information and does not change existing recognition and measurement requirements in our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.