Intangibles And Other Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Intangibles And Other Assets [Abstract]

Intangibles And Other Assets

6. INTANGIBLES AND OTHER ASSETS

	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Patents and trademarks	$	24,272		$	23,617
Other assets		203			204
Gross intangibles and other assets		24,475			23,821
Accumulated amortization of patents and trademarks		(9,972	)		(9,768	)
Intangibles and other assets, net	$	14,503		$	14,053

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:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Amortization of Intangibles - excluding impairments or abandonments	$	242	$	197

The table below includes estimated remaining annual amortization expense for issued patents and trademarks as of March 31, 2012.

	Estimated Amortization Expense
	(In thousands)
Remainder of 2012	$	690
2013		913
2014		789
2015		739
2016		661
Thereafter		1,654
Total	$	5,446

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

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Patents in process	$	8,854	$	8,448

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