Indemnification Obligations	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Indemnification Obligations	Indemnification Obligations In connection with the sale by MRV of Source Photonics, Inc. and related entities in October 2010, MRV agreed to indemnify the buyer against certain claims brought after the closing for prior-occurring events. Most of the indemnification obligations have expired. However, indemnification obligations related to intellectual property extend until the third anniversary of the closing, indemnification obligations related to employee benefits, environmental liabilities and taxes extend until their applicable statute of limitations has expired plus 90 days, and indemnification obligations are not time limited for title and ownership representations. These indemnification obligations are subject to a $1.0 million deductible and a $20.0 million cap and we have purchased an insurance policy to protect against such obligations. In connection with the sale by MRV of CES in March 2012, MRV agreed to indemnify the buyer for the representations and warranties made in the sale purchase agreement, and we have purchased an insurance policy to protect us against any claims of indemnification related to the representations and warranties. Our sale purchase agreements for the sale of Pedrena and Alcadon include customary indemnification obligations. In addition, in connection with the sale of Pedrena the Company and the buyer entered into a Representations and Warranties Agreement that contains an arrangement whereby if the Company does not obtain a representations and warranties insurance policy within 90 days of close of the sale transaction, and if the Company's cash falls below $20 million prior to December 31, 2013, the Company will deposit 1.5 million euros (or $2.0 million U.S. equivalent as of December 31, 2012) in an escrow account to secure its indemnification obligations under the Representations and Warranties Agreement. The Company has elected not to obtain the insurance policy.

Indemnification Obligations

In connection with the sale by MRV of Source Photonics, Inc. and related entities in October 2010, MRV agreed to indemnify the buyer against certain claims brought after the closing for prior-occurring events. Most of the indemnification obligations have expired. However, indemnification obligations related to intellectual property extend until the third anniversary of the closing, indemnification obligations related to employee benefits, environmental liabilities and taxes extend until their applicable statute of limitations has expired plus 90 days, and indemnification obligations are not time limited for title and ownership representations. These indemnification obligations are subject to a $1.0 million deductible and a $20.0 million cap and we have purchased an insurance policy to protect against such obligations. In connection with the sale by MRV of CES in March 2012, MRV agreed to indemnify the buyer for the representations and warranties made in the sale purchase agreement, and we have purchased an insurance policy to protect us against any claims of indemnification related to the representations and warranties. Our sale purchase agreements for the sale of Pedrena and Alcadon include customary indemnification obligations. In addition, in connection with the sale of Pedrena the Company and the buyer entered into a Representations and Warranties Agreement that contains an arrangement whereby if the Company does not obtain a representations and warranties insurance policy within 90 days of close of the sale transaction, and if the Company's cash falls below $20 million prior to December 31, 2013, the Company will deposit 1.5 million euros (or $2.0 million U.S. equivalent as of December 31, 2012) in an escrow account to secure its indemnification obligations under the Representations and Warranties Agreement. The Company has elected not to obtain the insurance policy.