Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	$ (54,799)	$ (157,478)	$ (66,662)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	34,355	53,289	54,049
Non-cash stock compensation	9,062	11,048	18,115
Provision for deferred income taxes	0	0	(1,736)
Impairment of Patent-Related Intangible Assets	42,340	74,731	3,497
Impairment of Goodwill	0	30,149	0
Other	(477)	(109)	(28)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	(787)	(10,725)	0
Accounts receivable	6,750	(13,332)	(13,827)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,593	(619)	3,154
Accounts payable and accrued expenses / costs	(3,006)	2,570	3,718
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	(970)	527	3,904
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	34,061	(9,949)	4,184
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(4)	(8)	(109)
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(62,633)	(23,296)	(109,963)
Sale of available-for-sale investments	43,232	82,115	182,115
Patent acquisition costs	(1,225)	(19,504)	(42,746)
Payments to Acquire Investments	(20,000)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(40,630)	39,307	29,297
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of Dividends	0	(25,434)	(25,039)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary	(1,358)	(4,105)	(867)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	326	938	206
Repurchases of common stock	(82)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,114)	(28,601)	(25,700)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(7,683)	757	7,781
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning	135,223	134,466	126,685
Cash and cash equivalents, ending	127,540	135,223	134,466
Patent acquisition costs included in accrued expenses	$ 0	$ 1,000	$ 16,700