Subsequent Event (Details)	Jun. 30, 2011
Subsequent Event [Abstract]
Number of PDL's claims for relief relating to the 2003 settlement agreement	4
Number of PDL's claims dismissed by the court	1

Name:

pdli_NumberOfPdlsClaimsForReliefRelatingTo2003SettlementAgreement

Namespace Prefix:

pdli

Data Type:

xbrli:integerItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

instant