Commitments and contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and contingencies

4. Commitments and contingencies

Litigation

     In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, the Company regularly becomes involved in contract and other negotiations and, in more limited circumstances, becomes involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation. The outcomes of these matters are inherently unpredictable. The Company periodically assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters, based upon the latest information available. Should it be probable that the Company has incurred a loss and the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated, the Company will record reserves in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In other instances, because of the uncertainties related to the probable outcome and/or amount or range of loss, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of a liability, and therefore no reserve will be recorded. As additional information becomes available, the Company will adjust its assessment and estimates of such liabilities accordingly. Further, as the costs and outcomes of these types of matters can vary significantly, including with respect to whether they ultimately result in litigation, the Company believes its past experiences are not sufficient to provide any additional visibility or predictability to reasonably estimate the additional loss or range of loss that may result, if any. Based on the foregoing, the Company believes that an estimate of an additional loss or range of loss cannot be made at this time for contingencies for which there is a reasonably possibility that a loss may have been incurred. It is possible that the ultimate resolution of the Company’s liabilities and contingencies could be at amounts that are different from any recorded reserves and that such differences could be material.