Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 199,389	$ 91,874	$ 189,660
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of convertible notes offering costs	5,386	1,682	2,159
Amortization of non-recourse notes offering costs	4,533	7,238	1,256
Other amortization and depreciation expense	1,405	330	991
Loss (gain) on retirement or conversion of convertible notes	766	17,648	(1,518)
Stock-based compensation expense	387	662	821
Tax benefit (expense) from stock-based compensation arrangements	(120)	12,818	64,140
Net excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation		(12,924)	(70,610)
Deferred income taxes	31,217	(5,677)	10,242
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables from licensees	(131)	581	12,450
Prepaid and other current assets	(199)	1,445	(4,903)
Other assets	(6,639)	182
Accounts payable	(2,012)	2,170	(1,347)
Accrued legal settlement	(37,500)	65,000
Accrued liabilities	239	(26,229)	(16,387)
Other long-term liabilities	(26,939)	27,500
Net cash provided by operating activities	169,782	184,300	186,954
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of investments	(74,744)	(46,668)
Maturities of investments	50,696	9,772	15,000
Purchase of property and equipment			(39)
Release of restricted cash			3,469
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(24,048)	(36,896)	18,430
Cash flows from financing activities
Retirement of convertible notes	(133,851)	(108,247)	(69,953)
Repayment of non-recourse notes	(110,900)	(95,730)
Net proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes	149,712	82,039
Net proceeds from the issuance of non-recourse notes			285,746
Purchase of call options	(20,765)
Proceeds from issue of warrants	10,868
Cash dividends paid	(83,828)	(130,043)	(319,020)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation		12,924	70,610
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of cancellations			1,402
Net cash used in financing activities	(188,764)	(239,057)	(31,215)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(43,030)	(91,653)	174,169
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	211,574	303,227	129,058
Cash and cash equivalents at end the year	168,544	211,574	303,227
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for income taxes	83,000	69,000	29,258
Cash paid for interest	25,627	40,622	11,552
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash financing activities
Conversion of convertible notes		$ 111,680