COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES [Abstract]

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES

NOTE 6-COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES

Restricted Stock Unit Withholdings

The Company issues restricted stock units as part of its equity incentive plans, which are described more fully in “Note 5-Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation Expense.” For the majority of restricted stock units granted, the number of shares issued on the date the restricted stock units vest is net of the statutory withholding requirements paid on behalf of the employees. The Company withheld 16,629 in 2011, 14,283 in 2010, and 3,934 in 2009, shares of common stock to satisfy its employees' tax obligations of $146,000 in 2011, $126,000 in 2010, and $32,000 in 2009. The Company paid this amount in cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. Although shares withheld are not issued, they are treated as common stock repurchases for accounting and disclosure purposes, as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting.