Stamps.com (STMP) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Entity Registrant Name	'STAMPS.COM INC
Entity Central Index Key	'0001082923
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3
Document Type	'10-Q
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$65,183	$29,576
Short-term investments	8,355	6,323
Accounts receivable, net	9,463	14,432
Other current assets	5,802	5,602
Total current assets	88,803	55,933
Property and equipment, net	29,516	28,631
Intangible assets, net	1,097	1,262
Long-term investments	10,006	10,720
Deferred income taxes	30,549	30,549
Other assets	4,528	3,757
Total assets	164,499	130,852
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	13,112	16,366
Deferred revenue	1,404	1,532
Total current liabilities	14,516	17,898
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $.001 par value Authorized shares: 47,500 in 2013 and 2012 Issued shares: 28,374 in 2013 and 27,472 in 2012 Outstanding shares: 16,043 in 2013 and 15,319 in 2012	51	50
Additional paid-in capital	665,794	649,694
Accumulated deficit	-356,499	-381,781
Treasury stock, at cost, 12,331 shares in 2013 and 12,153 in 2012	-159,522	-155,260
Accumulated other comprehensive income	159	251
Total stockholders' equity	149,983	112,954
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$164,499	$130,852

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	47,500	47,500
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	28,374	27,472
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	16,043	15,319
Treasury stock shares (in shares)	12,331	12,153

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service	$24,505	$22,631	$74,241	$65,799
Product	3,885	3,495	12,436	10,876
Insurance	1,854	1,774	5,517	5,138
PhotoStamps	1,001	1,170	3,260	3,771
Other	0	1	1	7
Total revenues	31,245	29,071	95,455	85,591
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service	3,833	3,720	12,403	11,788
Product	1,315	1,271	4,322	4,009
Insurance	659	573	1,976	1,670
PhotoStamps	777	929	2,623	2,927
Total cost of revenues	6,584	6,493	21,324	20,394
Gross profit	24,661	22,578	74,131	65,197
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Sales and marketing	9,095	8,915	29,270	28,797
Research and development	2,844	2,625	8,187	7,837
General and administrative	3,961	3,953	11,553	11,233
Total operating expenses	15,900	15,493	49,010	47,867
Income from operations	8,761	7,085	25,121	17,330
Interest and other income, net	92	122	341	409
Income before income taxes	8,853	7,207	25,462	17,739
Income tax expense (benefit)	90	230	180	-11,521
Net income	$8,763	$6,977	$25,282	$29,260
Net income per share	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.55	$0.43	$1.63	$1.80
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.53	$0.42	$1.56	$1.72
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	15,816	16,103	15,545	16,273
Diluted (in shares)	16,389	16,675	16,184	17,015

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$8,763	$6,977	$25,282	$29,260
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment	11	59	-92	33
Comprehensive income	$8,774	$7,036	$25,190	$29,293

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$25,282	$29,260
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,822	1,122
Stock-based compensation expense	3,568	3,175
Deferred income taxes	0	-11,915
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	4,969	-1,223
Other current assets	-435	652
Other assets	-771	-174
Deferred revenue	-128	-327
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-1,110	294
Net cash provided by operating activities	33,197	20,864
Investing activities:	'	'
Sale of short-term investments	4,138	1,581
Purchase of short-term investments	-6,233	-4,449
Sale of long-term investments	6,538	4,873
Purchase of long-term investments	-5,852	-5,598
Release of restricted cash	0	500
Acquisition of property, equipment, and intangibles	-4,402	-25,166
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,811	-28,259
Financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	11,418	5,163
Issuance of common stock under ESPP	1,114	917
Repurchase of common stock	-4,311	-19,899
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,221	-13,819
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	35,607	-21,214
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	29,576	54,087
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	65,183	32,873
Supplemental Information:	'	'
Capital expenditures accrued but not paid at period end	$199	$644

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	We prepared the consolidated financial statements included herein without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. We believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We recommend that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013.
	In our opinion, these unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2013, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stamps.com Inc. and PhotoStamps Inc. In October 2009, we formed PhotoStamps Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of managing our retail gift card operations. Because 100% of the voting control is held by us, we have consolidated PhotoStamps Inc. in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Use of Estimates and Risk Management
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. Examples include estimates of loss contingencies, promotional coupon redemptions, the number of PhotoStamps retail boxes that will not be redeemed, deferred income taxes and estimates regarding the useful lives of our building, patents and other amortizable intangible assets.
	Contingencies and Litigation
	We are subject to various routine litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when received. We record liabilities for claims against us when the loss is both probable and estimable. Amounts recorded are based on reviews by outside counsel, in-house counsel and management. Actual results could differ from estimates.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The fair values of investments are determined using quoted market prices for those securities or similar financial instruments.
	Property and Equipment
	We account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets’ useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed, and any gain or loss is included in operations.
	On January 23, 2012, we completed the purchase of our new corporate headquarters in El Segundo, California, for an aggregate purchase price of $13.4 million of which approximately $7.2 million was allocated to land value and $5.5 million was allocated to building value. The purchase was accounted for as a business combination.  The building is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 40 years; the land is an asset that does not get depreciated.  As a result of the purchase we also acquired existing leases of building tenants, and $700,000 of the initial purchase price was allocated to lease-in-place intangible assets. We are amortizing these intangible assets over the remaining lease terms.
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our gross deferred tax assets, which are primarily comprised of U.S. Federal and State tax loss carry-forwards, to the amount that is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be realized.  In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets, we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income. We evaluate the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with ASC 740 based on all available positive and negative evidence.
	Revenue Recognition
	We recognize revenue from product sales or services rendered, as well as commissions from advertising or sale of products by third party vendors to our customer base when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
	Service revenue is primarily derived from monthly subscription and transaction fees and is recognized in the period that services are provided. Product sales, net of return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Sales of items, including PhotoStamps, sold to customers are made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier. Return allowances for expected product returns, which reduce product revenue, are estimated using historical experience. Commissions from the advertising or sale of products by a third party vendor to our customer base are recognized when the revenue is earned and collection is deemed probable.
	Customers pay face value for postage purchased for use through our PC Postage software, and the funds are transferred directly from the customers to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”). We do not recognize revenue for this postage, as it is purchased by our customers directly from the USPS.
	PhotoStamps revenue, which includes the face value of postage, from the sale of PhotoStamps sheets and rolls is made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier.
	Sale of PhotoStamps retail boxes are initially recorded as deferred revenue.  PhotoStamps revenue related to the sale of these PhotoStamps retail boxes is subsequently recognized when either: 1) the PhotoStamps retail box is redeemed, or 2) the likelihood of the PhotoStamps retail box being redeemed is deemed remote (“breakage”) and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed PhotoStamps retail boxes.
	On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to our customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements was not significant during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	We provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through our software. Insurance revenue represents the gross amount charged to the customer for purchasing insurance and the related cost represents the amount paid to the insurance broker, Parcel Insurance Plan. We recognize revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package.
	PhotoStamps Retail Boxes
	We sell PhotoStamps retail boxes that are redeemable for PhotoStamps on our website.  The PhotoStamps retail boxes are sold through various third party retail partners.  Our PhotoStamps retail boxes are not subject to administrative fees on unredeemed boxes and have no expiration date.  PhotoStamps retail box sales are recorded as deferred revenue.  Prior to the second quarter of 2011, revenue was recognized only on boxes that were actually redeemed on our website.
	During the second quarter of 2011, we concluded that sufficient company-specific historical evidence existed to determine the period of time after which the likelihood of the PhotoStamps retail boxes being redeemed was remote.  Based on our analysis of the redemption data, we estimate that period of time to be 60 months after the sale of our PhotoStamps retail boxes.
	Beginning in the second quarter of 2011, we began recognizing breakage revenue related to our PhotoStamps retail boxes utilizing the redemption recognition method. Under the redemption recognition method, we recognize breakage revenue from unredeemed retail boxes in proportion to the revenue recognized from the retail boxes that have been redeemed.  Revenue from our PhotoStamps retail boxes is included in PhotoStamps revenue. We continue to recognize retail box breakage revenue from PhotoStamps retail boxes using the redemption recognition method.  PhotoStamps retail box breakage revenue during the third quarter of 2013 was not significant to our consolidated financial statements.
	Subsequent Events
	We are not aware of any material subsequent events or transactions that have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings	'
	2	Legal Proceedings
	We are subject to various routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, and we do not believe that these proceedings and claims would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Income per Share	'
Net Income per Share	'
	3	Net Income per Share
	Net income per share represents net income attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during a reported period. The diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, including stock options (commonly and hereafter referred to as “common stock equivalents”), were exercised or converted into common stock.  Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income during a reported period by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common stock equivalents for the period.
	The following table reconciles share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income		$	8,763	$	6,977	$	25,282	$	29,260
	Basic - weighted average common shares			15,816		16,103		15,545		16,273
	Diluted effect of common stock equivalents			573		572		639		742
	Diluted - weighted average common shares			16,389		16,675		16,184		17,015
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$	0.55	$	0.43	$	1.63	$	1.8
	Diluted		$	0.53	$	0.42	$	1.56	$	1.72
	The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Anti-dilutive stock option shares			43		174		80		108

StockBased_Employee_Compensati

Stock-Based Employee Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Employee Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Employee Compensation	'
	4	Stock-Based Employee Compensation
	We estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model and recognize stock-based compensation expense during each period based on the value of that portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period, reduced for estimated forfeitures. We estimate forfeitures at the time of grant based on historical data and revise, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Compensation expense recognized for all employee stock options granted is recognized using the straight-line method over their respective vesting periods of up to five years.
	The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense that we recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Stock-based compensation expense relating to:
	Employee and director stock options		$	904		$	798		$	2,828		$	2,622
	Employee stock purchases			441			86			740			553
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	1,345		$	884		$	3,568		$	3,175
	Stock-based compensation expense relating to:
	Cost of revenues		$	130		$	69		$	317		$	265
	Sales and marketing			260			197			678			692
	Research and development			353			204			812			726
	General and administrative			602			414			1,761			1,492
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	1,345		$	884		$	3,568		$	3,175
	We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant, which requires us to make a number of highly complex and subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rates. In the case of options we grant, our assumption of expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price over the term equal to the expected life of the options. We base the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximately equal to the expected life of the options assumed at the date of grant.  The estimated expected life represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding, determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior.
	The following are the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for the periods indicated:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Expected dividend yield			—			—			—			—
	Risk-free interest rate			0.7	%		0.4	%		0.5	%		0.4	%
	Expected volatility			49	%		49	%		48	%		51	%
	Expected life (in years)			3.5			3.7			3.6			3.7
	Expected forfeiture rate			7	%		6	%		6	%		7	%

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	5	Intangible Assets
	We have amortizable and non-amortizable intangible assets consisting of patents, trademarks, other intellectual property and lease-in-place intangible assets with a gross carrying value of $9.4 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and accumulated amortization of $8.3 million and $8.1 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  During 2012, we completed our purchase of our new corporate headquarters for an aggregate purchase price of $13.4 million.  As a result of the purchase we also acquired existing leases of building tenants, and $700,000 of the initial purchase price was allocated to lease-in-place intangible assets.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	6	Income Taxes
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, our income tax expense consisted of federal and state alternative minimum taxes. Our effective income tax rate differs from the statutory income tax rate primarily as a result of our use of net operating losses to offset current federal and state income taxes. We evaluated the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with ASC 740 based on all available positive and negative evidence.  A valuation allowance is recorded against a portion of our gross deferred tax assets as we have determined the realization of these assets does not meet the more likely than not criteria.  In making that determination, we considered the available positive and negative evidence, including our recent earnings trend, expected future taxable income and the federal and state effective tax rates related to future taxable income.
	On March 6, 2012, we entered into a binding agreement with PSI Systems, Inc. (“PSI”) to resolve all outstanding patent litigation among the parties (see Note 2 – Legal Proceedings on our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012). Because of the PSI litigation settlement during the first quarter of 2012, we eliminated what had previously been negative evidence.  The litigation settlement became positive evidence because (1) it eliminated the hard-to-predict fluctuations in litigation expenditures which we expected to be material in future forecasts, (2) it eliminated the potential for a material negative financial judgment against us and (3) it eliminated the possibility of an injunction against us.  We believe the other positive and negative evidence we evaluated is consistent (e.g., no material change has occurred) relative to our evaluation of this evidence in prior periods.  Based on this discrete event, we extended our forecast of projected taxable income from two years to three years for the portion of our deferred tax asset for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be realized under ASC 740 as of March 31, 2012.  As a result, we released a portion of our valuation allowance totaling $11.9 million during the first quarter of 2012. As of September 30, 2013, we continued to maintain a valuation allowance for the remainder of our gross deferred tax assets.
	We recorded income tax expense for corporate alternative minimum U.S. federal and state taxes of approximately $90,000 and $180,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We recorded income tax expense for corporate alternative minimum U.S. federal and state taxes of approximately $230,000 and $394,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	7	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are classified in one of the three following categories, which are described below:
	Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market
	Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets
	Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and involve management judgment and our own assumptions about market participants and pricing
	The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
					Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	Description		30-Sep-13		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash equivalents		$	65,183	$	65,183	$	—	$	—
	Available-for-sale debt securities			18,361		—		18,361
	Total		$	83,544	$	65,183	$	18,361	$	—
					Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	Description		31-Dec-12		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash equivalents		$	29,576	$	29,576	$	—	$	—
	Available-for-sale debt securities			17,043		—		17,043		—
	Total		$	46,619	$	29,576	$	17,043	$	—
	The fair value of our available-for-sale debt securities included in the Level 2 category is based on the market values obtained from an independent pricing service that were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers.
	There were no non-financial assets or liabilities that were required to be measured at fair value as of September 30, 2013.

Cash_Equivalents_and_Investmen

Cash Equivalents and Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Abstract]	'
Cash Equivalents and Investments	'
	8	Cash Equivalents and Investments
	Our cash equivalents and investments consist of money market, asset-backed securities, US government obligations, and public corporate debt securities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. We consider all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. All of our investments are classified as available for sale and are recorded at market value using the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses are reflected in other income, net using the specific identification method.  There was no material realized gain or loss with respect to our investments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Unrealized gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity.  We do not intend to sell investments with an amortized cost basis exceeding fair value and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases. We have 6 securities with a total fair value of $1.3 million that have unrealized losses of approximately $6,000 as of September 30, 2013.
	On at least a quarterly basis, we evaluate our available for sale securities, and record an “other-than-temporary impairment” (“OTTI”) if we believe their fair value is less than historical cost and it is probable that we will not collect all contractual cash flows. We did not record any OTTI during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, after evaluating a number of factors including, but not limited to:
	·	How much fair value has declined below amortized cost
	·	The financial condition of the issuers
	·	Significant rating agency changes on the issuer
	·	Our intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value
	The following tables summarize our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			30-Sep-13
			Cost or		Gross		Gross
			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
			Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash		$	39,447		—		—		$	39,447
	Money market			25,736		—		—			25,736
	Cash and cash equivalents			65,183		—		—			65,183
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and asset backed securities			8,280		76		(1	)		8,355
	Short-term investments			8,280		76		(1	)		8,355
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and asset backed securities			9,922		89		(5	)		10,006
	Long-term investments			9,922		89		(5	)		10,006
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments		$	83,385		165		(6	)	$	83,544
			31-Dec-12
			Cost or		Gross		Gross
			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
			Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash		$	7,043		—		—		$	7,043
	Money market			22,533		—		—			22,533
	Cash and cash equivalents			29,576		—		—			29,576
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate notes and bonds			5,248		66		—			5,314
	U.S. government and agency securities			1,005		4		—			1,009
	Short-term investments			6,253		70		—			6,323
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and asset backed securities			10,539		190		(9	)		10,720
	Long-term investments			10,539		190		(9	)		10,720
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments		$	46,368		260		(9	)	$	46,619
	The following table summarizes contractual maturities of our marketable fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Amortized		Estimated
			Cost		Fair Value
	Due within one year		$	8,280	$	8,355
	Due after one year through five years			9,922		10,006
	Due after five years through ten years			—		—
	Total		$	18,202	$	18,361

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	We prepared the consolidated financial statements included herein without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. We believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We recommend that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013.
	In our opinion, these unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2013, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stamps.com Inc. and PhotoStamps Inc. In October 2009, we formed PhotoStamps Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of managing our retail gift card operations. Because 100% of the voting control is held by us, we have consolidated PhotoStamps Inc. in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates and Risk Management	'
	Use of Estimates and Risk Management
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. Examples include estimates of loss contingencies, promotional coupon redemptions, the number of PhotoStamps retail boxes that will not be redeemed, deferred income taxes and estimates regarding the useful lives of our building, patents and other amortizable intangible assets.
Contingencies and Litigation	'
	Contingencies and Litigation
	We are subject to various routine litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when received. We record liabilities for claims against us when the loss is both probable and estimable. Amounts recorded are based on reviews by outside counsel, in-house counsel and management. Actual results could differ from estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The fair values of investments are determined using quoted market prices for those securities or similar financial instruments.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	We account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets’ useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed, and any gain or loss is included in operations.
	On January 23, 2012, we completed the purchase of our new corporate headquarters in El Segundo, California, for an aggregate purchase price of $13.4 million of which approximately $7.2 million was allocated to land value and $5.5 million was allocated to building value. The purchase was accounted for as a business combination.  The building is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 40 years; the land is an asset that does not get depreciated.  As a result of the purchase we also acquired existing leases of building tenants, and $700,000 of the initial purchase price was allocated to lease-in-place intangible assets. We are amortizing these intangible assets over the remaining lease terms.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our gross deferred tax assets, which are primarily comprised of U.S. Federal and State tax loss carry-forwards, to the amount that is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be realized.  In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets, we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income. We evaluate the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with ASC 740 based on all available positive and negative evidence.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	We recognize revenue from product sales or services rendered, as well as commissions from advertising or sale of products by third party vendors to our customer base when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
	Service revenue is primarily derived from monthly subscription and transaction fees and is recognized in the period that services are provided. Product sales, net of return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Sales of items, including PhotoStamps, sold to customers are made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier. Return allowances for expected product returns, which reduce product revenue, are estimated using historical experience. Commissions from the advertising or sale of products by a third party vendor to our customer base are recognized when the revenue is earned and collection is deemed probable.
	Customers pay face value for postage purchased for use through our PC Postage software, and the funds are transferred directly from the customers to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”). We do not recognize revenue for this postage, as it is purchased by our customers directly from the USPS.
	PhotoStamps revenue, which includes the face value of postage, from the sale of PhotoStamps sheets and rolls is made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier.
	Sale of PhotoStamps retail boxes are initially recorded as deferred revenue.  PhotoStamps revenue related to the sale of these PhotoStamps retail boxes is subsequently recognized when either: 1) the PhotoStamps retail box is redeemed, or 2) the likelihood of the PhotoStamps retail box being redeemed is deemed remote (“breakage”) and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed PhotoStamps retail boxes.
	On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to our customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements was not significant during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	We provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through our software. Insurance revenue represents the gross amount charged to the customer for purchasing insurance and the related cost represents the amount paid to the insurance broker, Parcel Insurance Plan. We recognize revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package.
PhotoStamps Retail Boxes	'
	PhotoStamps Retail Boxes
	We sell PhotoStamps retail boxes that are redeemable for PhotoStamps on our website.  The PhotoStamps retail boxes are sold through various third party retail partners.  Our PhotoStamps retail boxes are not subject to administrative fees on unredeemed boxes and have no expiration date.  PhotoStamps retail box sales are recorded as deferred revenue.  Prior to the second quarter of 2011, revenue was recognized only on boxes that were actually redeemed on our website.
	During the second quarter of 2011, we concluded that sufficient company-specific historical evidence existed to determine the period of time after which the likelihood of the PhotoStamps retail boxes being redeemed was remote.  Based on our analysis of the redemption data, we estimate that period of time to be 60 months after the sale of our PhotoStamps retail boxes.
	Beginning in the second quarter of 2011, we began recognizing breakage revenue related to our PhotoStamps retail boxes utilizing the redemption recognition method. Under the redemption recognition method, we recognize breakage revenue from unredeemed retail boxes in proportion to the revenue recognized from the retail boxes that have been redeemed.  Revenue from our PhotoStamps retail boxes is included in PhotoStamps revenue. We continue to recognize retail box breakage revenue from PhotoStamps retail boxes using the redemption recognition method.  PhotoStamps retail box breakage revenue during the third quarter of 2013 was not significant to our consolidated financial statements.
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	We are not aware of any material subsequent events or transactions that have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Income per Share	'
Calculation of basic and diluted net income per share	'
	The following table reconciles share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income	$	8,763	$	6,977	$	25,282	$	29,260
	Basic - weighted average common shares		15,816		16,103		15,545		16,273
	Diluted effect of common stock equivalents		573		572		639		742
	Diluted - weighted average common shares		16,389		16,675		16,184		17,015
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.55	$	0.43	$	1.63	$	1.8
	Diluted	$	0.53	$	0.42	$	1.56	$	1.72
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	'
	The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Anti-dilutive stock option shares		43		174		80		108

StockBased_Employee_Compensati1

Stock-Based Employee Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Employee Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'
	The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense that we recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Stock-based compensation expense relating to:
	Employee and director stock options	$	904		$	798		$	2,828		$	2,622
	Employee stock purchases		441			86			740			553
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,345		$	884		$	3,568		$	3,175
	Stock-based compensation expense relating to:
	Cost of revenues	$	130		$	69		$	317		$	265
	Sales and marketing		260			197			678			692
	Research and development		353			204			812			726
	General and administrative		602			414			1,761			1,492
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,345		$	884		$	3,568		$	3,175
Weighted average assumptions used in Black-Scholes valuation model	'
	The following are the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Expected dividend yield		—			—			—			—
	Risk-free interest rate		0.7	%		0.4	%		0.5	%		0.4	%
	Expected volatility		49	%		49	%		48	%		51	%
	Expected life (in years)		3.5			3.7			3.6			3.7
	Expected forfeiture rate		7	%		6	%		6	%		7	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
				Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	Description	30-Sep-13		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash equivalents	$	65,183	$	65,183	$	—	$	—
	Available-for-sale debt securities		18,361		—		18,361
	Total	$	83,544	$	65,183	$	18,361	$	—
				Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	Description	31-Dec-12		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash equivalents	$	29,576	$	29,576	$	—	$	—
	Available-for-sale debt securities		17,043		—		17,043		—
	Total	$	46,619	$	29,576	$	17,043	$	—

Cash_Equivalents_and_Investmen1

Cash Equivalents and Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Abstract]	'
Cash, cash equivalents and investments	'
	The following tables summarize our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13
		Cost or		Gross		Gross
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	39,447		—		—		$	39,447
	Money market		25,736		—		—			25,736
	Cash and cash equivalents		65,183		—		—			65,183
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and asset backed securities		8,280		76		(1	)		8,355
	Short-term investments		8,280		76		(1	)		8,355
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and asset backed securities		9,922		89		(5	)		10,006
	Long-term investments		9,922		89		(5	)		10,006
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	83,385		165		(6	)	$	83,544
		31-Dec-12
		Cost or		Gross		Gross
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	7,043		—		—		$	7,043
	Money market		22,533		—		—			22,533
	Cash and cash equivalents		29,576		—		—			29,576
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate notes and bonds		5,248		66		—			5,314
	U.S. government and agency securities		1,005		4		—			1,009
	Short-term investments		6,253		70		—			6,323
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and asset backed securities		10,539		190		(9	)		10,720
	Long-term investments		10,539		190		(9	)		10,720
	Cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	46,368		260		(9	)	$	46,619
Contractual maturities of marketable fixed-income securities	'
	The following table summarizes contractual maturities of our marketable fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	8,280	$	8,355
	Due after one year through five years		9,922		10,006
	Due after five years through ten years		—		—
	Total	$	18,202	$	18,361

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of voting control in PhotoStamps Inc. (in hundredths)	100.00%	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Aggregate purchase price	'	$13,400,000
Land [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Aggregate purchase price	'	7,200,000
Building [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'40 years	'
Aggregate purchase price	'	5,500,000
Leases-in-Place [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Intangible assets purchased	700,000	$700,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Building [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'10 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Building [Member]	'	'
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'40 years	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Part II (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Criteria
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Percentage of realization of deferred tax assets, minimum (in hundredths)	50.00%
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Number of criteria to be met for recognition of revenue	4
PhotoStamps Retail Boxes [Abstract]	'
Period of redemption of PhotoStamps retail boxes	'60 months

Net_Income_per_Share_Details

Net Income per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Computation of basic and diluted net income per share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$8,763	$6,977	$25,282	$29,260
Basic - weighted average common shares (in shares)	15,816	16,103	15,545	16,273
Diluted effect of common stock equivalents (in shares)	573	572	639	742
Diluted - weighted average common shares (in shares)	16,389	16,675	16,184	17,015
Earnings per share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.55	$0.43	$1.63	$1.80
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.53	$0.42	$1.56	$1.72
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted shares [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive stock option shares (in shares)	43	174	80	108

StockBased_Employee_Compensati2

Stock-Based Employee Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$1,345	$884	$3,568	$3,175
Weighted average assumptions used in Black-Scholes valuation model [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	0.70%	0.40%	0.50%	0.40%
Expected volatility (in hundredths)	49.00%	49.00%	48.00%	51.00%
Expected life	'3 years 6 months	'3 years 8 months 12 days	'3 years 7 months 6 days	'3 years 8 months 12 days
Expected forfeiture rate (in hundredths)	7.00%	6.00%	6.00%	7.00%
Employee and director stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	904	798	2,828	2,622
Employee stock purchases [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	441	86	740	553
Cost of revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	130	69	317	265
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	260	197	678	692
Research and development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	353	204	812	726
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$602	$414	$1,761	$1,492
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'5 years	'

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Gross carrying value of amortizable and non-amortizable intangible assets	$9,400,000	$9,400,000
Accumulated amortization	8,300,000	8,100,000
Purchase of corporate headquarters	'	13,400,000
Leases-in-Place [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets purchased	$700,000	$700,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Valuation allowance	'	'	$11,900,000	'	'
Income tax expense for corporate alternative minimum federal and state taxes	$90,000	$230,000	'	$180,000	$394,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Period of forecast for projected taxable income	'	'	'	'2 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Period of forecast for projected taxable income	'	'	'	'3 years	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale debt securities	$18,361	'
Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	65,183	29,576
Available-for-sale debt securities	18,361	17,043
Total	83,544	46,619
Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	65,183	29,576
Available-for-sale debt securities	0	0
Total	65,183	29,576
Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale debt securities	18,361	17,043
Total	18,361	17,043
Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale debt securities	0	0
Total	$0	$0

Cash_Equivalents_and_Investmen2

Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Security
Cash Equivalents and Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of securities held	6	'	'	'
Fair value of securities	$1,300,000	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	65,183,000	29,576,000	32,873,000	54,087,000
Contractual maturities of marketable fixed-income securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Due within one year, amortized cost	8,280,000	'	'	'
Due after one year through five years, amortized cost	9,922,000	'	'	'
Due after five year through ten years, amortized cost	0	'	'	'
Total, Amortized Cost	18,202,000	'	'	'
Due within one year, estimated fair value	8,355,000	'	'	'
Due after one year through five years, estimated fair value	10,006,000	'	'	'
Due after five year through ten years, estimated fair value	0	'	'	'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	18,361,000	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	65,183,000	29,576,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	65,183,000	29,576,000	'	'
Short-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	8,280,000	6,253,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	76,000	70,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,000	0	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	8,355,000	6,323,000	'	'
Long-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	9,922,000	10,539,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	89,000	190,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-5,000	-9,000	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	10,006,000	10,720,000	'	'
Cash, cash equivalents and investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	83,385,000	46,368,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	165,000	260,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-6,000	-9,000	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	83,544,000	46,619,000	'	'
Cash [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	39,447,000	7,043,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	39,447,000	7,043,000	'	'
Money market [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	25,736,000	22,533,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	25,736,000	22,533,000	'	'
Corporate notes and bonds [Member] | Short-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	8,280,000	5,248,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	76,000	66,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,000	0	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	8,355,000	5,314,000	'	'
Corporate bonds and asset backed securities [Member] | Long-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	9,922,000	10,539,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	89,000	190,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-5,000	-9,000	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	10,006,000	10,720,000	'	'
U.S. government and agency securities [Member] | Short-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	'	1,005,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	'	4,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0	'	'
Estimated Fair Value	'	$1,009,000	'	'