Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 218,680	$ 139,359
Short-term investments	105,054	38,513
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,213 and $3,404, respectively	37,285	19,071
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,388	14,311
Deferred income taxes	1,092	1,643
Total current assets	377,499	212,897
Long-term investments	19,841	43,077
Property and equipment, net	19,599	14,438
Tradenames, net	71,409	34,691
Patent and patent licenses, net	19,329	17,517
Customer relationships, net	64,723	35,865
Goodwill	407,825	279,016
Other purchased intangibles, net	9,855	9,994
Deferred income taxes	1,852	3,160
Other assets	3,238	516
Total assets	995,170	651,171
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	39,874	24,070
Income taxes payable	3,037	1,510
Deferred revenue	30,493	26,695
Liability for uncertain tax positions	5,523	5,523
Total current liabilities	78,927	57,798
Total long-term debt, less current portion	245,194
Long-term Debt	250,000	0
Liability for uncertain tax positions	32,155	24,554
Deferred income taxes	32,393	12,102
Other long-term liabilities	3,166	2,342
Mandatorily redeemable financial instrument	8,740	0
Total liabilities	400,575	96,796
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 and none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 95,000,000 at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011; total issued 45,094,191 and 55,389,636 shares at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; and total outstanding 45,094,191 and 46,709,068 shares at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	451	554
Additional paid-in capital	169,542	197,374
Treasury stock, at cost (zero shares at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)	0	(112,671)
Retained earnings	424,790	472,595
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(88)	(3,477)
Stockholders' equity attributable to j2 Global, Inc.	594,695	554,375
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(100)	0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	594,595	554,375
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 995,170	$ 651,171