Digimarc (DMRC) 10-Q 28 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 22, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	DMRC
Entity Registrant Name	Digimarc CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1438231
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,544,154

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,064	$6,122
Marketable securities	32,031	32,201
Trade accounts receivable, net	3,620	4,545
Other current assets	2,518	2,611
Total current assets	43,233	45,479
Marketable securities		749
Property and equipment, net	2,895	2,976
Intangibles, net	6,692	6,720
Goodwill	1,114	1,114
Other assets	337	378
Total assets	54,271	57,416
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,473	1,379
Deferred revenue	2,984	3,660
Total current liabilities	4,457	5,039
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities	158	203
Total liabilities	4,615	5,242
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.001 per share, 2,500 authorized, 10 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)	50	50
Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 50,000 authorized, 8,540 and 8,427 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	9	8
Additional paid-in capital	61,853	60,222
Accumulated deficit	-12,256	-8,106
Total shareholders' equity	49,656	52,174
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$54,271	$57,416

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,500	2,500
Preferred stock, shares issued	10	10
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	10	10
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000	50,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,540	8,427
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,540	8,427

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Service	$3,501	$2,988
Subscription	1,716	1,412
License	772	2,805
Total revenue	5,989	7,205
Cost of revenue:
Service	1,578	1,414
Subscription	754	649
License	84	83
Total cost of revenue	2,416	2,146
Gross profit	3,573	5,059
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	2,090	1,879
Research, development and engineering	3,084	3,546
General and administrative	2,206	2,421
Intellectual property	367	534
Total operating expenses	7,747	8,380
Operating loss	-4,174	-3,321
Other income, net	23	27
Loss before income taxes	-4,151	-3,294
Benefit for income taxes	1	1,308
Net loss	($4,150)	($1,986)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss per common share-basic	($0.52)	($0.29)
Loss per common share-diluted	($0.52)	($0.29)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	7,960	7,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	7,960	7,000
Cash dividends declared per common share		$0.11

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$50,923	$50	$7	$41,498	$9,368
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		10	7,401
Exercise of stock options	712		1	711
Exercise of stock options, shares			122
Issuance of restricted common stock	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted common stock, shares			57
Forfeiture of restricted common stock	0	0	0	0	0
Forfeiture of restricted common stock, shares			-7
Purchase and retirement of common stock	-850			-850
Purchase and retirement of common stock, shares			-51
Stock-based compensation	1,304			1,304
Tax impact from stock-based awards	72			72
Net loss	-1,986				-1,986
Cash dividends declared	-824				-824
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	49,351	50	8	42,735	6,558
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2014		10	7,522
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	52,174	50	8	60,222	-8,106
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		10	8,427
Exercise of stock options	874		1	873
Exercise of stock options, shares	45		45
Issuance of restricted common stock	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted common stock, shares			90
Forfeiture of restricted common stock	0	0	0	0	0
Forfeiture of restricted common stock, shares			-5
Purchase and retirement of common stock	-496			-496
Purchase and retirement of common stock, shares			-17
Stock-based compensation	1,254			1,254
Net loss	-4,150				-4,150
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$49,656	$50	$9	$61,853	($12,256)
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2015		10	8,540

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($4,150)	($1,986)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and write-off of property and equipment	328	231
Amortization and write-off of intangibles	277	308
Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts	10	-7
Stock-based compensation	1,217	1,259
Deferred income taxes		-509
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards		-72
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	915	1,809
Other current assets	93	-699
Other assets	41	84
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	-99	-314
Deferred revenue	-668	-1,484
Net cash used in operating activities	-2,036	-1,380
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	-125	-117
Capitalized patent costs	-194	-295
Maturity of marketable securities	21,976	11,192
Purchase of marketable securities	-21,057	-9,266
Net cash provided by investing activities	600	1,514
Cash flows from financing activities:
Exercise of stock options	874	712
Purchase of common stock	-496	-850
Cash dividends paid		-824
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards		72
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	378	-890
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-1,058	-756
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	6,122	3,811
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,064	3,055
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net	2	-12
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Stock-based compensation capitalized to patent costs and software	$37	$45

Description_of_Business_and_Si

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
	Description of Business
	Digimarc Corporation (“Digimarc” or the “Company”), an Oregon corporation, enables governments and enterprises around the world to give digital identities to media and objects that computers can sense and recognize and to which they can react. The Company has developed an intuitive computing platform that is intended to optimize the identification of consumer brand impressions, facilitating modern mobile-centric shopping. The platform includes means to infuse persistent digital information, “Digimarc IDs,” perceptible only to computers and digital devices, into all forms of media content, including consumer products packaging. Digimarc IDs for packaging, often referred to as “Digimarc Barcodes,” facilitate remarkably faster scanning of items at retail checkout as well as improved interaction with consumers. The unique digital identifier placed in media generally persists with it regardless of the distribution path and whether it is copied, manipulated or converted to a different format, and does not affect the quality of the content or the enjoyment or other traditional uses of it. The Company’s technology permits computers and digital devices to quickly and reliably identify relevant data from vast amounts of media content.
	Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
	The Company has adhered to the accounting policies set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 in preparing the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements.
	The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s records without audit and, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly reflect the financial condition and the results of operations for the periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (the “U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
	These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2015. The results of operations for the interim periods presented in these consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position for any period presented.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” ASU No 2014-09 provides specific guidance to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The amendments in this update permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently assessing the potential future impact of this standard on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
	On April 1, 2015, the FASB tentatively agreed to propose a one-year deferral of the effect date for ASU 2014-09, but would permit all entities to adopt the standard as of the original effective date for public business entities (i.e., annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein). The FASB expects to issue an Exposure Draft for this issue in the near term.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	2. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company records marketable securities at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
	The Company’s fair value hierarchy for its cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, was as follows:
	March 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Money market securities		$	3,367	$	—	$	—	$	3,367
	Corporate notes			—		19,995		—		19,995
	Pre-refunded municipal bonds (1)			—		9,067		—		9,067
	Commercial paper			—		1,947		—		1,947
	Certificates of deposits			—		1,442		—		1,442
	Total		$	3,367	$	32,451	$	—	$	35,818
	December 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Money market securities		$	3,556	$	—	$	—	$	3,556
	Corporate notes			—		19,245		—		19,245
	Pre-refunded municipal bonds (1)			—		13,317		—		13,317
	Certificates of deposits			—		2,176		—		2,176
	Total		$	3,556	$	34,738	$	—	$	38,294
	-1	Pre-refunded municipal bonds are collateralized by U.S. treasuries.
	The fair value maturities of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 are as follows:
			Maturities by Period
			Total		Less than		1-5 years		5-10 years		More than
					1 year						10 years
	Cash equivalents and marketable securities		$	35,818	$	35,818	$	—	$	—	$	—
	The Company considers all highly liquid marketable securities with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include money market funds and certificates of deposit totaling $3,787 and $5,344 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Cash equivalents are carried at cost or amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Revenue_Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	3. Revenue Recognition
	The Company derives its revenue primarily from development services, subscriptions and licensing of its intellectual property:
		•		Service revenue consists primarily of software development and consulting services. The majority of service revenue arrangements are structured as time and materials consulting agreements.
		•		Subscription revenue includes Digimarc Discover, Barcode and Guardian products and services, is generally recurring, paid in advance and recognized over the term of the subscription.
		•		License revenue originates primarily from licensing the Company’s intellectual property where the Company receives license fees and/or royalties as its income stream.
	Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” and ASC 985 “Software” when the following four criteria are met:
		(i)	persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
		(ii)	delivery has occurred,
		(iii)	the fee is fixed or determinable, and
		(iv)	collection is reasonably assured.
	Some customer arrangements encompass multiple deliverables, such as patent licenses, professional services, software licenses, and maintenance and support fees. For arrangements that include multiple deliverables, the Company identifies separate units of accounting at inception based on the consensus reached under ASC 605-25 “Multiple-Element Arrangements,” which provides that revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria are met. The Company applies ASC 985 to software deliverables when relevant. The consideration for the arrangement under ASC 605-25 is allocated to the separate units of accounting using the relative selling price method.
	The relative selling price method allocates the consideration based on the Company’s specific assumptions rather than assumptions of a marketplace participant, and any discount in the arrangement proportionally to each deliverable on the basis of each deliverable’s selling price.
	Applicable revenue recognition criteria is considered separately for each separate unit of accounting as follows:
		•		Service revenue is generally determined based on time and materials. Revenue for professional services is recognized as the services are performed. Billing for services rendered generally occurs within one month after the services are provided.
		•		Subscription revenue, which includes Digimarc Discover, Barcode and Guardian products and services, is generally paid in advance and recognized over the term of the subscription, which is generally one to three years.
		•		License revenue is recognized when amounts owed to the Company have been earned, are fixed or determinable (within the Company’s normal 30 to 60 day payment terms), and collection is reasonably assured. If the payment terms extend beyond the normal 30 to 60 days, the fee may not be considered to be fixed or determinable, and the revenue would then be recognized when installments are due.
		•		The Company records revenue from certain license agreements upon cash receipt as a result of collectability not being reasonably assured.
		•		The Company’s standard payment terms for license arrangements are 30 to 60 days. Extended payment terms on patent license arrangements are not considered to be fixed or determinable if payments are due beyond the Company’s standard payment terms, primarily because of the risk of substantial modification present in the Company’s patent licensing business. As such, revenue on license arrangements with extended payment terms are recognized as fees become fixed or determinable.
	Deferred revenue consists of billings in advance for service, subscription and license contracts for which revenue has not been earned.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	4. Segment Information
	Geographic Information
	The Company derives its revenue from a single reporting segment: media management solutions. Revenue is generated in this segment through development services, subscriptions and licensing of intellectual property. The Company markets its products in the U.S. and in non-U.S. countries through its sales and licensing personnel.
	Revenue by geographic area, based upon the “bill-to” location, was as follows:
			Three			Three
			Months			Months
			Ended			Ended
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Domestic		$	1,687		$	3,117
	International (1)			4,302			4,088
	Total		$	5,989		$	7,205
	-1	Revenue from the Central Banks, consisting of a consortium of central banks around the world, is classified as international revenue. Reporting revenue by country for this customer is not practicable.
	Major Customers
	Customers who accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenue are as follows:
			Three			Three
			Months			Months
			Ended			Ended
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Central Banks			59	%		43	%
	The Nielsen Company (“Nielsen”)			—			16	%
	Verance Corporation (“Verance”)			—			10	%
	In the first quarter of 2014, Nielsen made its final quarterly license fee payment under its patent license agreement.
	In the third quarter of 2014, the Company extended the patent license agreement with Verance through 2023, in effect waiving any future royalties and license fees, in exchange for a $1.0 million license fee payment.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	5. Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation includes expense charges for all stock-based awards to employees and directors. These awards include stock option grants and restricted stock awards.
	Stock-based compensation expense related to internal labor is capitalized to patent costs and software based on direct labor hours charged to capitalized patent costs and software.
	Determining Fair Value
	Stock Options
	Valuation and Amortization Method. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company amortizes the fair value of all awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting periods.
	Expected Life. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company determines the expected life based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and pre-vesting and post-vesting forfeitures. Stock options granted generally vest over three to four years for employee grants and one to two years for director grants, and have contractual terms of ten years.
	Expected Volatility. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of its common stock based on historical prices over the most recent period commensurate with the expected life of the award.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate. The Company determines the risk-free interest rate using current U.S. treasury yields for bonds with a maturity commensurate with the expected life of the award.
	Expected Dividend Yield. The expected dividend yield is derived by the Company’s expected annual dividend rate over the expected term divided by the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the grant date.
	There were no stock options granted during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The Company records stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards only for those awards that are expected to vest.
	Restricted Stock
	The fair value of restricted stock awarded is based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant (measurement date), and is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method.
	The Company records stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards only for those awards that are expected to vest.
	Stock-based Compensation
		Three			Three
		Months			Months
		Ended			Ended
		March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Stock-based compensation:
	Cost of revenue	$	185		$	142
	Sales and marketing		159			142
	Research, development and engineering		287			356
	General and administrative		518			550
	Intellectual property		68			69
	Stock-based compensation expense		1,217			1,259
	Capitalized to patent costs and software		37			45
	Total stock-based compensation	$	1,254		$	1,304
	The following table sets forth total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based awards granted under all equity compensation plans, including stock options and restricted stock:
		As of			As of
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Total unrecognized compensation costs	$	12,411		$	11,206
	Total unrecognized compensation costs will be adjusted for any future changes in estimated forfeitures.
	The Company expects to recognize the unrecognized compensation costs as of March 31, 2015 for stock options and restricted stock over weighted average periods through March 2019 as follows:
		Stock			Restricted
		Options			Stock
	Weighted average period		0.0 years			1.6 years
	Stock Option Activity
	As of March 31, 2015, under all of the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, equity awards to purchase an additional 1,411 shares were authorized for future grants under the plans. The Company issues new shares upon option exercises. The following table reconciles the outstanding balance of stock options:
	Three-months ended March 31, 2015:	Options			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Grant Date		Value
					Price		Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		601		$	16.97	$	8.42
	Options granted		—			—		—
	Options exercised		(45	)		19.45		8.66
	Options canceled or expired		—			—		—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		556		$	16.76	$	8.4	$	4,055
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		556		$	16.76			$	4,055
	The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of $21.95 per share of Digimarc common stock on March 31, 2015, which would have been received by the optionees had all of the options with exercise prices less than $21.95 per share been exercised on that date.
	Restricted Stock Activity
	The following table reconciles the unvested balance of restricted stock:
	Three-months ended March 31, 2015:	Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested balance, December 31, 2014		502		$	23.09
	Granted		90		$	28.66
	Vested		(42	)	$	23.14
	Canceled		(5	)	$	27.01
	Unvested balance, March 31, 2015		545		$	23.97
The fair value of all restricted stock awards that vested during the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,213 and $1,367, respectively.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	6. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
	The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per common share in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share,” using the two-class method because the Company’s unvested restricted stock is a participating security since these awards contain non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends. Under the two-class method, earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all of the net earnings for the period had been distributed.
	Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is calculated by dividing earnings to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares, as adjusted for the potentially dilutive effect of stock options. The following table reconciles earnings (loss) per common share for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months			Three Months
		Ended			Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(4,150	)	$	(1,986	)
	Distributed earnings to common shares		—			773
	Distributed earnings to participating securities		—			51
	Total distributed earnings		—			824
	Undistributed loss allocable to common shares		(4,150	)		(2,810	)
	Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities		—			—
	Total undistributed loss		(4,150	)		(2,810	)
	Loss to common shares—basic	$	(4,150	)	$	(2,037	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		7,960			7,000
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.52	)	$	(0.29	)
		Three Months			Three Months
		Ended			Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Loss to common shares—basic	$	(4,150	)	$	(2,037	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		—			—
	Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		—			—
	Loss to common shares—diluted	$	(4,150	)	$	(2,037	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		7,960			7,000
	Dilutive effect of stock options		—			—
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—dilutive		7,960			7,000
	Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.52	)	$	(0.29	)
	There were 212 and 220 common stock equivalents related to stock options that were anti-dilutive and excluded from diluted earnings per common share for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as the Company incurred a net loss for the period.

Trade_Accounts_Receivable

Trade Accounts Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade Accounts Receivable	7. Trade Accounts Receivable
	Trade Accounts Receivable
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount.
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Trade accounts receivable		$	3,652		$	4,567
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(32	)		(22	)
	Trade accounts receivable, net		$	3,620		$	4,545
	Unpaid deferred revenue included in trade accounts receivable		$	542		$	1,974
	Allowance for doubtful accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and current information. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts each reporting period. Account balances are charged against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
	Unpaid deferred revenue
	The unpaid deferred revenue that is included in trade accounts receivable is billed in accordance with the provisions of the contracts with the Company’s customers. Unpaid deferred revenue from the Company’s cash-basis customers is not included in trade accounts receivable nor deferred revenue.
	Major customers
	Customers who accounted for 10% or more of trade accounts receivable, net are as follows:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Central Banks			61	%		61	%
	Civolution			*			13	%
	*	Less than 10%

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	8. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred.
	Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term.
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Office furniture fixtures	$	848		$	845
	Software		1,392			1,312
	Equipment		3,089			3,072
	Leasehold improvements		1,229			1,198
	Gross property and equipment		6,558			6,427
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(3,663	)		(3,451	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,895		$	2,976

Intangibles

Intangibles	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangibles	9. Intangibles
	Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
	Amortization of capitalized patent costs associated with the application and award of patents in the U.S. and various other countries are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the patents as determined at the award date, which varies depending on the pendency period of the application, generally approximating seventeen years.
	Amortization of intangible assets acquired is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Capitalized patent costs	$	6,334		$	6,183
	Intangible assets acquired:
	Purchased patents and intellectual property		250			250
	Existing technology		1,560			1,560
	Customer relationships		290			290
	Backlog		760			760
	Tradenames		290			290
	Non-solicitation agreements		120			120
	Gross intangible assets		9,604			9,453
	Accumulated amortization		(2,912	)		(2,733	)
	Intangibles, net	$	6,692		$	6,720

Joint_Ventures_and_Related_Par

Joint Ventures and Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Joint Ventures and Related Party Transactions	10. Joint Ventures and Related Party Transactions
	In March 2012, Digimarc and Nielsen decided to reduce the investments in their two joint ventures, TVaura LLC (in which Digimarc holds a 51% ownership interest) and TVaura Mobile LLC (in which Digimarc holds a 49% ownership interest), to minimal levels while assessing alternative approaches to achieving each of their goals in the emerging market opportunity of synchronized second screen television. Payment of all expenses incurred after the suspension of operations of each joint venture is unconditionally the responsibility of the majority owner, which expenses for TVaura LLC, if any, will be paid by Digimarc. As of March 31, 2015, both Digimarc and Nielsen continued to assess the market opportunities of each of the joint ventures.
	Summarized financial information for the joint ventures has not been provided as the disclosures are immaterial to the Company’s filing given the operations of the joint ventures have been suspended. The joint ventures had no revenue or expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company’s investment in each joint venture was $0 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	11. Income Taxes
	The benefit for income taxes for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 reflects current taxes, deferred taxes, and withholding taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 0% and 40%, respectively. The valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2015 was $8,858, an increase of $1,570 from $7,288 as of December 31, 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12. Commitments and Contingencies
	Certain of the Company’s product license and services agreements include an indemnification provision for claims from third parties relating to the Company’s intellectual property. Such indemnification provisions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies.” To date, there have been no claims made under such indemnification provisions.
	The Company is subject from time to time to other legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business.

Description_of_Business_and_Si1

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business
	Digimarc Corporation (“Digimarc” or the “Company”), an Oregon corporation, enables governments and enterprises around the world to give digital identities to media and objects that computers can sense and recognize and to which they can react. The Company has developed an intuitive computing platform that is intended to optimize the identification of consumer brand impressions, facilitating modern mobile-centric shopping. The platform includes means to infuse persistent digital information, “Digimarc IDs,” perceptible only to computers and digital devices, into all forms of media content, including consumer products packaging. Digimarc IDs for packaging, often referred to as “Digimarc Barcodes” facilitate remarkably faster scanning of items at retail checkout as well as improved interaction with consumers. The unique digital identifier placed in media generally persists with it regardless of the distribution path and whether it is copied, manipulated or converted to a different format, and does not affect the quality of the content or the enjoyment or other traditional uses of it. The Company’s technology permits computers and digital devices to quickly and reliably identify relevant data from vast amounts of media content.
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
	The Company has adhered to the accounting policies set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 in preparing the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements.
	The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s records without audit and, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly reflect the financial condition and the results of operations for the periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (the “U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
	These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2015. The results of operations for the interim periods presented in these consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position for any period presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” ASU No 2014-09 provides specific guidance to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The amendments in this update permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently assessing the potential future impact of this standard on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
	On April 1, 2015, the FASB tentatively agreed to propose a one-year deferral of the effect date for ASU 2014-09, but would permit all entities to adopt the standard as of the original effective date for public business entities (i.e., annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein). The FASB expects to issue an Exposure Draft for this issue in the near term.
Earnings Per Share	The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per common share in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share,” using the two-class method because the Company’s unvested restricted stock is a participating security since these awards contain non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends. Under the two-class method, earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all of the net earnings for the period had been distributed.
Contingencies	Certain of the Company’s product license and services agreements include an indemnification provision for claims from third parties relating to the Company’s intellectual property. Such indemnification provisions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies.” To date, there have been no claims made under such indemnification provisions.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Financial Assets	The Company’s fair value hierarchy for its cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, was as follows:
	March 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Money market securities		$	3,367	$	—	$	—	$	3,367
	Corporate notes			—		19,995		—		19,995
	Pre-refunded municipal bonds (1)			—		9,067		—		9,067
	Commercial paper			—		1,947		—		1,947
	Certificates of deposits			—		1,442		—		1,442
	Total		$	3,367	$	32,451	$	—	$	35,818
	December 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Money market securities		$	3,556	$	—	$	—	$	3,556
	Corporate notes			—		19,245		—		19,245
	Pre-refunded municipal bonds (1)			—		13,317		—		13,317
	Certificates of deposits			—		2,176		—		2,176
	Total		$	3,556	$	34,738	$	—	$	38,294
	-1	Pre-refunded municipal bonds are collateralized by U.S. treasuries.
Summary of Fair Value Maturities for Financial Asset	The fair value maturities of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2015 are as follows:
			Maturities by Period
			Total		Less than		1-5 years		5-10 years		More than
					1 year						10 years
	Cash equivalents and marketable securities		$	35,818	$	35,818	$	—	$	—	$	—

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Geographical Segment Revenue	Revenue by geographic area, based upon the “bill-to” location, was as follows:
			Three			Three
			Months			Months
			Ended			Ended
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Domestic		$	1,687		$	3,117
	International (1)			4,302			4,088
	Total		$	5,989		$	7,205
	-1	Revenue from the Central Banks, consisting of a consortium of central banks around the world, is classified as international revenue. Reporting revenue by country for this customer is not practicable.
Customers Who Accounted for 10% or More of Company's Revenue	Customers who accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenue are as follows:
			Three			Three
			Months			Months
			Ended			Ended
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Central Banks			59	%		43	%
	The Nielsen Company (“Nielsen”)			—			16	%
	Verance Corporation (“Verance”)			—			10	%

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Allocation of Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation
		Three			Three
		Months			Months
		Ended			Ended
		March 31,			March 31,
		2015			2014
	Stock-based compensation:
	Cost of revenue	$	185		$	142
	Sales and marketing		159			142
	Research, development and engineering		287			356
	General and administrative		518			550
	Intellectual property		68			69
	Stock-based compensation expense		1,217			1,259
	Capitalized to patent costs and software		37			45
	Total stock-based compensation	$	1,254		$	1,304
Unrecognized Compensation Cost Related to Non-Vested Stock-Based Awards Granted	The following table sets forth total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based awards granted under all equity compensation plans, including stock options and restricted stock:
		As of			As of
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Total unrecognized compensation costs	$	12,411		$	11,206
Weighted Average Period for Recognition of Unrecognized Compensation Cost for Stock Options and Restricted Stock	The Company expects to recognize the unrecognized compensation costs as of March 31, 2015 for stock options and restricted stock over weighted average periods through March 2019 as follows:
		Stock			Restricted
		Options			Stock
	Weighted average period		0.0 years			1.6 years
Reconciliation of Outstanding Balance of Stock Options	The following table reconciles the outstanding balance of stock options:
	Three-months ended March 31, 2015:	Options			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Grant Date		Value
					Price		Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		601		$	16.97	$	8.42
	Options granted		—			—		—
	Options exercised		(45	)		19.45		8.66
	Options canceled or expired		—			—		—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		556		$	16.76	$	8.4	$	4,055
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		556		$	16.76			$	4,055
Reconciliation of Unvested Balance of Restricted Stock	The following table reconciles the unvested balance of restricted stock:
	Three-months ended March 31, 2015:	Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested balance, December 31, 2014		502		$	23.09
	Granted		90		$	28.66
	Vested		(42	)	$	23.14
	Canceled		(5	)	$	27.01
	Unvested balance, March 31, 2015		545		$	23.97

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share1

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Reconciliation of Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	The following table reconciles earnings (loss) per common share for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months			Three Months
		Ended			Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(4,150	)	$	(1,986	)
	Distributed earnings to common shares		—			773
	Distributed earnings to participating securities		—			51
	Total distributed earnings		—			824
	Undistributed loss allocable to common shares		(4,150	)		(2,810	)
	Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities		—			—
	Total undistributed loss		(4,150	)		(2,810	)
	Loss to common shares—basic	$	(4,150	)	$	(2,037	)
	Denominator
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		7,960			7,000
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.52	)	$	(0.29	)
		Three Months			Three Months
		Ended			Ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Loss to common shares—basic	$	(4,150	)	$	(2,037	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		—			—
	Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities		—			—
	Loss to common shares—diluted	$	(4,150	)	$	(2,037	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		7,960			7,000
	Dilutive effect of stock options		—			—
	Weighted average common shares outstanding—dilutive		7,960			7,000
	Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.52	)	$	(0.29	)

Trade_Accounts_Receivable_Tabl

Trade Accounts Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Summary of Trade Accounts Receivable	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount.
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Trade accounts receivable		$	3,652		$	4,567
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(32	)		(22	)
	Trade accounts receivable, net		$	3,620		$	4,545
	Unpaid deferred revenue included in trade accounts receivable		$	542		$	1,974
Customers Who Accounted for 10% or More of Trade Accounts Receivable, Net	Customers who accounted for 10% or more of trade accounts receivable, net are as follows:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Central Banks			61	%		61	%
	Civolution			*			13	%
	*	Less than 10%

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization on Property and Equipment Using the Straight-Line Method	Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term.
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Office furniture fixtures	$	848		$	845
	Software		1,392			1,312
	Equipment		3,089			3,072
	Leasehold improvements		1,229			1,198
	Gross property and equipment		6,558			6,427
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(3,663	)		(3,451	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,895		$	2,976

Intangibles_Tables

Intangibles (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets Acquired	Amortization of intangible assets acquired is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Capitalized patent costs	$	6,334		$	6,183
	Intangible assets acquired:
	Purchased patents and intellectual property		250			250
	Existing technology		1,560			1,560
	Customer relationships		290			290
	Backlog		760			760
	Tradenames		290			290
	Non-solicitation agreements		120			120
	Gross intangible assets		9,604			9,453
	Accumulated amortization		(2,912	)		(2,733	)
	Intangibles, net	$	6,692		$	6,720

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Financial Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	$35,818
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	35,818	38,294
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Pre-refunded municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	9,067	13,317
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Money market securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	3,367	3,556
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Corporate notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	19,995	19,245
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	1,947
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	1,442	2,176
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	3,367	3,556
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Money market securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	3,367	3,556
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	32,451	34,738
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Pre-refunded municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	9,067	13,317
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	19,995	19,245
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	1,947
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	$1,442	$2,176

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Fair Value Maturities for Financial Asset (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Maturities, Total	$35,818
Maturities, Less than 1 year	35,818
Maturities, 1-5 years	0
Maturities, 5-10 years	0
Maturities, More than 10 years	$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Highly liquid marketable securities with original maturities	90 days or less
Cash equivalents include money market funds and certificates of deposit	$3,787	$5,344

Revenue_Recognition_Additional

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Period of revenue from services	1 month
Subscription revenue term, minimum	1 year
Subscription revenue term, maximum	3 years
License revenue recognized payment terms, maximum	60 days
License revenue recognized payment terms, minimum	30 days

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of reporting segment	1
Verance Corporation ("Verance") [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Patent license agreement expiration, year		2023
License fee		$1
Sales [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Verance Corporation ("Verance") [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from segment			10.00%
Sales [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from segment	10.00%

Segment_Information_Geographic

Segment Information - Geographical Segment Revenue (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total	$5,989	$7,205
Domestic [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total	1,687	3,117
International [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total	$4,302	$4,088

Segment_Information_Customers_

Segment Information - Customers Who Accounted for 10% or More of Company's Revenue (Detail) (Customer Concentration Risk [Member], Sales [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Central Banks [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Entity wide revenue major customers percentage	59.00%	43.00%
The Nielsen Company ("Nielsen") [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Entity wide revenue major customers percentage		16.00%
Verance Corporation ("Verance") [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Entity wide revenue major customers percentage		10.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual terms	10 years
Stock options granted	0	0
Options with exercise prices less than per share	$16.76		$16.97
Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation plans, shares authorized for future grants	1,411
Intrinsic value is based on closing price of per share of Digimarc common stock	$21.95
Options with exercise prices less than per share	$21.95
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$1,213	1,367
Minimum [Member] | Employee [Member] | Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Director [Member] | Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock	1 year
Maximum [Member] | Employee [Member] | Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Director [Member] | Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period for stock options and restricted stock	2 years

StockBased_Compensation_Alloca

Stock-Based Compensation - Allocation of Stock-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,217	$1,259
Capitalized to patent costs and software	37	45
Total stock-based compensation	1,254	1,304
Cost of revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	185	142
Sales and marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	159	142
Research, development and engineering [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	287	356
General and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	518	550
Intellectual property [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$68	$69

StockBased_Compensation_Unreco

Stock-Based Compensation - Unrecognized Compensation Cost Related to Non-Vested Stock-Based Awards Granted (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total unrecognized compensation costs	$12,411	$11,206

StockBased_Compensation_Weight

Stock-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Period for Recognition of Unrecognized Compensation Cost for Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period	0 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period	1 year 7 months 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Reconc

Stock-Based Compensation - Reconciliation of Outstanding Balance of Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning	601
Options granted	0	0
Options exercised	-45
Options canceled or expired	0
Outstanding at ending	556
Exercisable at ending	556
Weighted Average Exercise Price at beginning	$16.97
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options granted	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options exercised	$19.45
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options canceled or expired	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price at ending	$16.76
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable at ending	$16.76
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value at beginning	$8.42
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Options granted	$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Options exercised	$8.66
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Options canceled or expired	$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value at ending	$8.40
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Exercisable at ending	$0
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at ending	$4,055
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at ending	$4,055

StockBased_Compensation_Reconc1

Stock-Based Compensation - Reconciliation of Unvested Balance of Restricted Stock (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock [Member]
Number of Shares
Unvested, beginning balance	502
Granted	90
Vested	-42
Canceled	-5
Unvested, ending balance	545
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested, beginning balance	$23.09
Granted	$28.66
Vested	$23.14
Canceled	$27.01
Unvested, ending balance	$23.97

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share2

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Summary of Reconciliation of Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
Net loss	($4,150)	($1,986)
Distributed earnings to common shares		773
Distributed earnings to participating securities		51
Total distributed earnings		824
Undistributed loss allocable to common shares	-4,150	-2,810
Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities	0	0
Total undistributed loss	-4,150	-2,810
Loss to common shares-basic	-4,150	-2,037
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	7,960	7,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	($0.52)	($0.29)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
Loss to common shares-basic	-4,150	-2,037
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0	0
Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	0	0
Loss to common shares-diluted	($4,150)	($2,037)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	7,960	7,000
Dilutive effect of stock options	0	0
Weighted average common shares outstanding-dilutive	7,960	7,000
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	($0.52)	($0.29)

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share3

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common stock equivalents related to stock options that were anti-dilutive and excluded from diluted net income per share	212	220

Trade_Accounts_Receivable_Summ

Trade Accounts Receivable - Summary of Trade Accounts Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$3,652	$4,567
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-32	-22
Trade accounts receivable, net	3,620	4,545
Unpaid deferred revenue included in trade accounts receivable	$542	$1,974

Trade_Accounts_Receivable_Addi

Trade Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (Accounts receivable [Member], Minimum [Member], Credit Concentration Risk [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts receivable [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue from segment	10.00%

Trade_Accounts_Receivable_Cust

Trade Accounts Receivable - Customers Who Accounted for 10% or More of Trade Accounts Receivable, Net (Detail) (Accounts receivable [Member], Credit Concentration Risk [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Central Banks [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of trade accounts receivable of major customers	61.00%	61.00%
Civolution [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of trade accounts receivable of major customers		13.00%

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of the assets	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of the assets	7 years

Property_and_Equipment_Depreci

Property and Equipment - Depreciation and Amortization on Property and Equipment Using the Straight-Line Method (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Office furniture fixtures	$848	$845
Software	1,392	1,312
Equipment	3,089	3,072
Leasehold improvements	1,229	1,198
Gross property and equipment	6,558	6,427
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-3,663	-3,451
Property and equipment, net	$2,895	$2,976

Intangibles_Additional_Informa

Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (Capitalized patent costs [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Capitalized patent costs [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	17 years

Intangibles_Amortization_of_In

Intangibles - Amortization of Intangible Assets Acquired (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Capitalized patent costs	$6,334	$6,183
Intangible assets acquired:
Gross intangible assets	9,604	9,453
Accumulated amortization	-2,912	-2,733
Intangibles, net	6,692	6,720
Purchased patents and intellectual property [Member]
Intangible assets acquired:
Intangible assets amount	250	250
Existing technology [Member]
Intangible assets acquired:
Intangible assets amount	1,560	1,560
Customer relationships [Member]
Intangible assets acquired:
Intangible assets amount	290	290
Backlog [Member]
Intangible assets acquired:
Intangible assets amount	760	760
Tradenames [Member]
Intangible assets acquired:
Intangible assets amount	290	290
Non-solicitation agreements [Member]
Intangible assets acquired:
Intangible assets amount	$120	$120

Joint_Ventures_and_Related_Par1

Joint Ventures and Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Joint ventures revenue or expenses	$0	$0
TVaura LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage			51.00%
Investment in joint venture	0			0
TVaura Mobile LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage			49.00%
Investment in joint venture	$0			$0

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	0.00%	40.00%
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	$8,858		$7,288
Change in valuation allowance	$1,570