Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Contingencies [Abstract]

Contingencies

(12)	Contingencies
	On August 26, 2011, the Company brought a declaratory judgment action against Innovative Automation, LLC, seeking a declaration that the Company does not infringe a patent purportedly owned by Innovative Automation ("asserted patent") and that the asserted patent is invalid. The asserted patent pertains to methods and a system for providing automated digital data duplication. This case was brought in California and has been combined with two other cases brought by Innovative Automation against two of the Company's customers. On August 30, 2011, Innovative Automation filed a separate lawsuit in Texas against the Company, some of the Company's customers, and other defendants, alleging infringement of the asserted patent. On February 6, 2012, a Petition for Reexamination was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, seeking to invalidate each claim of the asserted patent. The Company's request for reexamination of the asserted patent was granted in early March 2012. The Company believes that the allegations that it infringes any valid claim of the asserted patent are without merit and intends to defend against these claims vigorously. These cases are in the early stages of litigation, and while there can be no assurance as to the outcome of these matters, the Company believes they will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	The Company is exposed to a number of asserted and unasserted claims encountered in the normal course of business. Legal costs related to loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.