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Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

Note 4. Fair Value Measurements

 

Current literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

 

Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

· Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
· Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
· Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
· Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company also considers nonperformance risk in the overall assessment of fair value.

 

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

 

As of March 31, 2013, the Company’s financial assets were investments in non-publicly traded companies. The Company considers net realizable value for its investments in non-publicly traded companies for purposes of determining asset impairment losses.

 

The carrying amounts for cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their immediate or short-term time to maturity.