Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

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 our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, filed with the SEC. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014, has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

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.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. Interest income recognized from financial assets that was previously reported as a component of "Interest and other income, net" in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income has been reclassified to "Interest revenue" as a component of revenue in the Condensed Consolidated statements of Income. Intangible assets that were previously reported in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets have been reclassified to “Royalty rights - at fair value” as a component of assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cost of sales that were previously reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income have been reclassified to "Royalty rights - change in fair value" as a component of revenue in Condensed Consolidated statements of Income. Amortization of intangible assets that were previously reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to “Change in fair value of royalty rights - at fair value” and “Proceeds from royalty rights - at fair value” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Notes Receivable and Other Long-Term Receivables, Policy

Notes Receivable and Other Long-Term Receivables

We account for our notes receivable at both amortized cost, net of unamortized origination fees, if any, and as dependent on collateral when the loan for which repayment is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral. For loans accounted for at their amortized cost, related fees and costs are recorded net of any amounts reimbursed. Interest is accreted or accrued to "Interest revenue" using the interest method. When and if supplemental royalties are received from certain of these notes and other long-term receivables, an adjustment to the estimated effective interest rate is affected prospectively.

We evaluate the collectability of both interest and principal for each note receivable and loan to determine whether it is impaired. A note receivable or loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, we determine it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a note receivable or loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of loss is calculated by comparing the carrying value of the financial asset to the value determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at the loan's effective interest rate or to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, if the loan is collateralized and we expect repayment to be provided solely by the collateral. Impairment assessments require significant judgments and are based on significant assumptions related to the borrower's credit risk, financial performance, expected sales, and fair value of the collateral.

Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Convertible Notes

We issued our Series 2012 Notes, May 2015 Notes and our February 2018 Notes with a net share settlement feature, meaning that upon any conversion, the principal amount will be settled in cash and the remaining amount, if any, will be settled in shares of our common stock. In accordance with accounting guidance for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash or other assets upon conversion, we separated the principal balance between the fair value of the liability component and the common stock conversion feature using a market interest rate for a similar nonconvertible instrument at the date of issuance.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Queen et al. Royalty Revenues

Under most of our patent license agreements, we receive royalty payments based upon our licensees’ net sales of covered products. Generally, under these agreements we receive royalty reports from our licensees approximately one quarter in arrears, that is, generally in the second month of the quarter after the licensee has sold the royalty-bearing product. We recognize royalty revenues when we can reliably estimate such amounts and collectability is reasonably assured. As such, we generally recognize royalty revenues in the quarter reported to us by our licensees, that is, royalty revenues are generally recognized one quarter following the quarter in which sales by our licensees occurred. Under this accounting policy, the royalty revenues we report are not based upon our estimates and such royalty revenues are typically reported in the same period in which we receive payment from our licensees.

We also received annual maintenance fees from licensees of our Queen et al. patents prior to patent expiry as well as periodic milestone payments. We have no performance obligations with respect to such fees. Maintenance fees were recognized as they became due and when payment was reasonably assured. Total annual maintenance and milestone payments in each of the last several years have been less than 1% of total revenue.

Acquired Royalty Rights [Policy Text Block]

Royalty Rights - At Fair Value

Currently, we have elected to account for our investments in royalty rights at fair value with changes in fair value presented in earnings. The fair value of the investments in royalty rights is determined by using a discounted cash flow analysis related to the expected future cash flows to be received. These assets are classified as Level 3 assets within the fair value hierarchy as our valuation estimates utilize significant unobservable inputs, including estimates as to the probability and timing of future sales of the related products. Transaction-related fees and costs are expensed as incurred.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments in royalty rights are presented together on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of revenue under the caption, “Royalty rights - change in fair value.”

Customer Concentration, Policy

Customer Concentration

The percentage of total revenue recognized, which individually accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues, was as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
Licensee	Product Name	2015		2014
Genentech	Avastin	26	%	30	%
	Herceptin	25	%	28	%
Biogen	Tysabri®	10	%	9	%

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 royalties associated with our licensees’ product sales with Euro forward contracts. In general, these contracts are intended to offset the underlying Euro market risk in our royalty revenues. The last of these contracts expires in the fourth quarter of 2015. We designate foreign currency exchange contracts used to hedge royalty revenues based on underlying Euro-denominated licensee product sales as cash flow hedges.

At the inception of each 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’ equity as "Accumulated other comprehensive gain." 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 portion of our hedge contracts is reported in "Interest and other income, net" in the period the ineffectiveness occurs.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach. Tax laws require items to be included in tax filings at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements. A current liability is recognized for the estimated taxes payable for the current year. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. Deferred taxes are adjusted for enacted changes in tax rates and tax laws. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) comprises net income adjusted for other comprehensive income (loss), using the specific identification method, which includes the changes in unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges and changes in unrealized gains and losses on our investments in available-for-sale securities, all net of tax, which are excluded from our net income.