CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Less Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Equity of 4Licensing Corporation Shareholders [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 154	$ 66,991	$ 19,298	$ (4,644)	$ (36,434)	$ 45,365	$ (10,248)	$ 35,117
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009	15,411,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock	3	1,708	0	0	0	1,711	0	1,711
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	242,000							0
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	10
Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost	0	0	0	0	(54)	(54)	0	(54)
Comprehensive net loss	0	0	(27,161)	5,114	0	(22,047)	(4,479)	(26,526)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2010	157	68,699	(7,863)	470	(36,488)	24,975	(14,717)	10,258
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	15,653,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock	1	737	0	0	0	738	0	738
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	125,000							0
Comprehensive net loss	0	0	(15,200)	31	0	(15,169)	(1,884)	(17,053)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	158	69,436	(23,063)	501	(36,488)	10,544	(16,601)	(6,057)
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	15,778,000							15,777,711
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock	0	88	0	0	0	88	0	88
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	61,000							0
Comprehensive net loss	0	0	9,544	(157)	0	9,387	(1)	9,386
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 158	$ 69,524	$ (13,519)	$ 344	$ (36,488)	$ 39	$ (16,602)	$ 3,417
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	15,839,000							15,838,879