Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	15. Subsequent Events As discussed in Note 6, in July 2013, we loaned an additional $20.0 million to Merus Labs when the seller of assets purchased by Merus Labs drew $20.0 million on the letter of credit previously provided by PDL in July 2012 to satisfy Merus Labs remaining $20.0 million purchase price obligation. Outstanding borrowings as a result of the draw on the letter of credit bear interest at the rate of 14.0% per annum. The remaining principal balance of all loans are due on March 31, 2015. The borrowings are subject to mandatory prepayments upon certain asset dispositions or debt issuances as set forth in the credit agreement. In August 2013, the Company entered into a separate privately negotiated exchange agreement under which it has retired $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding February 2015 Notes. Pursuant to the exchange agreement, the holder of the February 2015 Notes received $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's Series 2012 Notes. Immediately following the exchange, there was no principal amount that remained outstanding of the February 2015 Notes and $180,000,000 principal amount of the Series 2012 Notes was outstanding. In January 2013, the Company was informed that, as of December 31, 2012, Wellstat Diagnostics had used funds contrary to the terms of the credit agreement and breached Sections 2.1.2 and 7 of the credit agreement. PDL sent Wellstat Diagnostics a notice of default on January 22, 2013, and accelerated the amounts owed under the credit agreement. In connection with the notice of default, PDL exercised one of its available remedies and transferred approximately $8.1 million of available cash from a bank account of Wellstat Diagnostics to PDL and applied the funds to amounts due under the credit agreement. On February 28, 2013, the parties entered into a forbearance agreement whereby PDL has agreed to refrain from exercising additional remedies for 120 days while Wellstat Diagnostics raised funds to capitalize the business and the parties attempt to negotiate a revised credit agreement. PDL has agreed to provide up to $7.9 million to Wellstat Diagnostics to fund the business for the 120-day forbearance period under the terms of the credit agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, approximately $7.3 million was advanced pursuant to the forbearance agreement. Following the conclusion of the June 28 forbearance period, the Company agreed to forbear in its exercise of remedies for additional periods of time to allow the owners and affiliates of Wellstat Diagnostics to complete a pending financing transaction. During such forbearance period, the Company provided approximately $1.3 million to Wellstat Diagnostics to fund ongoing operations of the business. We believe the close of the pending financing transaction will occur in the near future. In the event that the owners and affiliates of Wellstat Diagnostics are successful in completing the financing transaction, PDL expects to enter into an amended and restated credit agreement with Wellstat Diagnostics.

15. Subsequent Events

As discussed in Note 6, in July 2013, we loaned an additional $20.0 million to Merus Labs when the seller of assets purchased by Merus Labs drew $20.0 million on the letter of credit previously provided by PDL in July 2012 to satisfy Merus Labs remaining $20.0 million purchase price obligation. Outstanding borrowings as a result of the draw on the letter of credit bear interest at the rate of 14.0% per annum. The remaining principal balance of all loans are due on March 31, 2015. The borrowings are subject to mandatory prepayments upon certain asset dispositions or debt issuances as set forth in the credit agreement.

In August 2013, the Company entered into a separate privately negotiated exchange agreement under which it has retired $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding February 2015 Notes. Pursuant to the exchange agreement, the holder of the February 2015 Notes received $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's Series 2012 Notes. Immediately following the exchange, there was no principal amount that remained outstanding of the February 2015 Notes and $180,000,000 principal amount of the Series 2012 Notes was outstanding.

In January 2013, the Company was informed that, as of December 31, 2012, Wellstat Diagnostics had used funds contrary to the terms of the credit agreement and breached Sections 2.1.2 and 7 of the credit agreement. PDL sent Wellstat Diagnostics a notice of default on January 22, 2013, and accelerated the amounts owed under the credit agreement. In connection with the notice of default, PDL exercised one of its available remedies and transferred approximately $8.1 million of available cash from a bank account of Wellstat Diagnostics to PDL and applied the funds to amounts due under the credit agreement. On February 28, 2013, the parties entered into a forbearance agreement whereby PDL has agreed to refrain from exercising additional remedies for 120 days while Wellstat Diagnostics raised funds to capitalize the business and the parties attempt to negotiate a revised credit agreement. PDL has agreed to provide up to $7.9 million to Wellstat Diagnostics to fund the business for the 120-day forbearance period under the terms of the credit agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, approximately $7.3 million was advanced pursuant to the forbearance agreement. Following the conclusion of the June 28 forbearance period, the Company agreed to forbear in its exercise of remedies for additional periods of time to allow the owners and affiliates of Wellstat Diagnostics to complete a pending financing transaction. During such forbearance period, the Company provided approximately $1.3 million to Wellstat Diagnostics to fund ongoing operations of the business. We believe the close of the pending financing transaction will occur in the near future. In the event that the owners and affiliates of Wellstat Diagnostics are successful in completing the financing transaction, PDL expects to enter into an amended and restated credit agreement with Wellstat Diagnostics.