Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Registrant Name	PDL BIOPHARMA, INC.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		116,546,762
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000882104
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1