Intangibles And Other Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Intangibles And Other Assets [Abstract]

Intangibles And Other Assets

6.  Intangibles and Other Assets

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Patents and trademarks	$	23,617		$	21,074
Other assets		204			295
Gross intangibles and other assets		23,821			21,369
Accumulated amortization of patents and trademarks		(9,768	)		(9,013	)
Intangibles and other assets, net	$	14,053		$	12,356

The Company amortizes its intangible assets related to patents and trademarks, over their estimated useful lives, generally 10 years from the date of issuance of the patents and trademarks. Amortization of intangibles excluding impairments or abandonments was as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Amortization of Intangibles - excluding impairments or abandonments	$	979	$	810	$	827

The table below includes estimated remaining annual amortization expense for issued patents and trademarks as of December 31, 2011.

	Estimated Amortization Expense
	(In thousands)
2012	$	899
2013		897
2014		757
2015		709
2016		631
Thereafter		1,508
Total	$	5,401

Patents in process included in patents and trademarks were as follows:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Patents in process	$	8,448	$	7,382

Upon issuance, in process patents will be amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally 10 years.