RPX (RPXC) 10-Q 4 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Trading Symbol	RPXC
Entity Registrant Name	RPX Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	1,509,432
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,152,648

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 87,168	$ 94,983
Short-term investments	95,539	231,015
Restricted cash	371	701
Accounts receivable, net	34,326	13,905
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	25,789	12,643
Total current assets	243,193	353,247
Patent assets, net	206,624	254,560
Property and equipment, net	7,185	4,733
Intangible assets, net	59,683	1,801
Goodwill	156,347	19,978
Restricted cash, less current portion	965	727
Deferred tax assets	30,594	16,619
Other assets	8,865	6,896
Total assets	713,456	658,561
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	2,172	959
Accrued liabilities	13,553	14,842
Deferred revenue	97,126	110,921
Deferred payment obligations	0	2,383
Current portion of long-term debt	5,849	0
Other current liabilities	1,798	467
Total current liabilities	120,498	129,572
Deferred revenue, less current portion	5,565	4,731
Deferred tax liabilities	4,412	0
Long-term debt	89,885	0
Other liabilities	8,613	7,779
Total liabilities	228,973	142,082
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	5	5
Additional paid-in capital	357,484	344,610
Retained earnings	137,865	172,115
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,871)	(251)
Total stockholders’ equity	484,483	516,479
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 713,456	$ 658,561

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 88,461	$ 68,212	$ 251,305	$ 219,050
Cost of revenue	50,830	37,639	147,566	109,383
Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,615	18,773	76,414	57,229
Gain on sale of patent assets, net	0	0	0	(592)
Operating income	14,016	11,800	27,325	53,030
Interest income	162	195	348	515
Interest expense	(922)	0	(2,155)	0
Other income (expense), net	(490)	681	813	1,416
Total interest and other income (expense), net	(1,250)	876	(994)	1,931
Income before provision for income taxes	12,766	12,676	26,331	54,961
Provision for income taxes	4,651	4,842	9,829	21,066
Net income	$ 8,115	$ 7,834	$ 16,502	$ 33,895
Net income per share:
Basic (dollars per common share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.32	$ 0.62
Diluted (dollars per common share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.32	$ 0.61
Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	49,713	54,800	50,932	54,491
Diluted (in shares)	50,247	55,703	51,462	55,547

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 8,115	$ 7,834	$ 16,502	$ 33,895
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during the period, net of tax	(129)	(69)	118	(201)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(4,258)	0	(10,738)	0
Comprehensive income	$ 3,728	$ 7,765	$ 5,882	$ 33,694

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating activities
Net income	$ 16,502	$ 33,895
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	129,312	107,026
Stock-based compensation	14,097	13,128
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(90)	(1,404)
Gain on sale of patent assets, net	0	592
Amortization of premium on investments	1,564	4,838
Deferred taxes	(5,975)	(376)
Unrealized foreign currency loss	2,006	0
Fair value adjustments on deferred payment obligation	(1,920)	(1,317)
Gain on extinguishment of deferred payment obligation	(463)	0
Realized loss on exchange of short-term investments	290	0
Other	902	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Accounts receivable, net	(8,168)	14,117
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,177)	(9,790)
Accounts payable	(276)	718
Accrued and other liabilities	(3,742)	(2,833)
Deferred revenue	(13,063)	(18,878)
Net cash provided by operating activities	119,799	138,532
Investing activities
Purchases of investments	(62,955)	(205,393)
Maturities of investments	48,073	182,725
Sales of investments	145,925	0
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	(228,453)	(425)
Decrease in restricted cash	427	297
Purchases of property and equipment	(3,004)	(1,617)
Acquisitions of patent assets	(71,021)	(84,068)
Proceeds from sale of patent assets	0	650
Acquisition of other assets	0	(2,500)
Net cash used in investing activities	(171,008)	(110,331)
Financing activities
Repayment of principal on deferred payment obligations	0	(935)
Proceeds from deferred payment obligations	0	6,270
Proceeds from issuance of term debt	100,000	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(2,003)	0
Repayment of principal on term debt	(2,500)	0
Payments of Merger Related Costs, Financing Activities	(1,320)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,657	4,646
Taxes paid related to net-share settlements of restricted stock units	(3,135)	(3,670)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	90	1,404
Payments of capital leases	(352)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(50,752)	(9,367)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	43,685	(1,652)
Foreign-currency effect on cash and cash equivalents	(291)	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(7,815)	26,549
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	94,983	78,019
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	87,168
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Change in patent assets purchased and accrued but not paid	(558)	1,250
Change in fixed assets purchased and accrued but not paid	485	0
Patent assets received in barter transactions	381	0
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Nonmonetary Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed)	$ 0	$ 5,935

Nature of Business

Nature of Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature Of Business	Nature of Business RPX Corporation (also referred to herein as “RPX” or the “Company”) helps companies reduce patent-related risk and expense by providing a subscription-based patent risk management solution that facilitates more efficient exchanges of value between owners and users of patents compared to transactions driven by actual or threatened litigation. The core of the Company’s solution is defensive patent aggregation, in which it acquires patents or licenses to patents that are being or may be asserted against the Company’s current or prospective clients. The Company occasionally enters into agreements to acquire covenants not to sue in order to further mitigate its clients’ litigation risk. The acquired patents, licenses to patents, patent rights and agreements for covenants not to sue are collectively referred to as “patent assets.” The Company’s patent risk management clients pay an annual subscription fee and in return, receive a license from the Company to substantially all of its patent assets and access to its proprietary patent market intelligence and data. In some instances, the Company accepts a payment from a client to finance part or all of an acquisition involving patent assets that may cost more than the Company is prepared to spend with its own capital resources or that are relevant only to a very small number of clients. In these instances, the Company facilitates syndicated transactions that include cash contributions from participating clients in addition to their annual subscription fees. In addition to the Company’s core solution, the Company underwrites patent infringement liability insurance policies to insure against certain costs of litigation through its reinsurance company which assumes a portion of the underwriting risk on insurance policies that the Company issues on behalf of a Lloyd’s of London underwriting syndicate. As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the effect of the insurance policies that the Company has issued or assumed through its reinsurance business was not material to the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In January 2016, the Company acquired Inventus Solutions, Inc. ("Inventus"), now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and began offering its discovery services solution which provides technology-enabled services to assist leading law firms and corporate legal departments manage costs and risks related to the litigation discovery process. The Company's discovery services solution includes data hosting and backup, data processing and collection, project management, document review, and traditional document production. All of these services are designed to streamline the administration of litigation, investigations, and regulatory compliance.

Basis of Presentation and Signi

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016 , the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 , which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 26, 2016. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items, necessary to state fairly the results of the interim periods have been included in the accompanying financial statements. Operating results for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2016. Significant Accounting Policies Other than the adoption of the revenue recognition policies related to the acquired discovery services solution disclosed below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , as compared to the significant accounting policies presented under the heading “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies” in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016. The Company recognizes revenue from its discovery services solution in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 605, Revenue Recognition ("ASC 605"). Under ASC 605, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the related services are provided, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The following is a description of the Company's significant sources of revenue from its discovery services solution: • data hosting fees based on data stored and number of users; • fees for month-to-month delivery of services, such as data processing (conversion of data into organized, searchable electronic database), project management and data collection services; • document review services which assist clients in the manual review of data responsive to a legal matter; and • printing and binding services (paper-based services). The Company enters into agreements pursuant to which the Company offers various discovery services. Clients are generally billed monthly based on contractual unit prices and volumes for services delivered. The agreements are typically for an indefinite period of time, however, they are cancelable at will by either party. The Company is entitled to all fees incurred for services performed. The majority of the Company's discovery services revenue comes from two types of billing arrangements: usage based and fixed fee. Usage-based arrangements require the client to pay based upon predetermined unit prices and volumes for data hosing, data processing and paper-based services. Project management and review hours are billed based upon the number of hours worked by certain client service processionals at agreed upon rates. In fixed-fee billing arrangements, the Company agrees to a pre-established monthly fee over a specified term in exchange for various services. The fees are not tied to the attainment of any contractually defined objectives and the monthly fee is nonrefundable. Based on an evaluation of the discovery services delivered to each client, the Company has determined that each deliverable has stand-alone value to the client as each of the Company’s discovery services can be sold on a stand-alone basis by the Company and the discovery services are available from other vendors. Additionally, discovery services do not carry a significant degree of risk or unique acceptance criteria that would require a dependency on the performance of future services. The Company recognizes revenue from these arrangements based on contractually stated prices. The Company allocates revenue to the various units of accounting in its arrangements based on the best estimate of selling price for each unit of accounting, which are consistent with the stated prices in those arrangements. The Company’s discovery services arrangements do not include any substantive general rights of return or other contingencies. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ("ASU 2016-15"). The standard is intended to eliminate diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASU 2016-13") on measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This ASU requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected and available-for-sale debt securities to record credit losses through an allowance for credit losses. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted as early as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). This ASU affects entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. ASU 2016-09 is designed to simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment award transactions that include the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows, and forfeiture rate calculations. ASU 2016-09 will become effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize the expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. ASU 2016-02 states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01"), which amends guidance related to certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods in those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) once it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach to adopt the new standards. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance for gross versus net considerations in ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing , which amends the guidance in ASU 2014-09 related to identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients , which provides clarification on assessing the collectability criterion, presentation of sales taxes, measurement date for noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. These ASUs will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and has not yet selected the method of transition.

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Per Share	Net Income Per Share Basic and diluted net income per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, including potentially dilutive shares. Potentially dilutive shares include outstanding stock options and restricted stock units ("RSUs"). The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive shares is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in the fair value of the Company's common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive shares. The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income $ 8,115 $ 7,834 $ 16,502 $ 33,895 Denominator: Basic shares: Weighted-average shares used in computing basic net income per share 49,713 54,800 50,932 54,491 Diluted shares: Weighted-average shares used in computing basic net income per share 49,713 54,800 50,932 54,491 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury-stock method 534 903 530 1,056 Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share 50,247 55,703 51,462 55,547 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.14 $ 0.32 $ 0.62 Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.14 $ 0.32 $ 0.61 The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding as the effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Outstanding weighted-average: Stock options 739 657 782 681 Restricted stock units 1,519 223 2,253 202

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments The following tables present the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): September 30, 2016 Amortized Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Gains Losses Assets: Cash equivalents: Commercial paper $ 15,847 $ — $ — $ 15,847 $ — $ 15,847 Money market funds 16,542 — — 16,542 16,542 — Municipal bonds 11,156 — — 11,156 — 11,156 $ 43,545 $ — $ — $ 43,545 $ 16,542 $ 27,003 Short-term investments: Commercial paper $ 2,192 $ — $ — $ 2,192 $ — $ 2,192 Corporate bonds 10,887 — (23 ) 10,864 — 10,864 Equity securities 123 — (66 ) 57 57 — Municipal bonds 62,373 — (64 ) 62,309 — 62,309 U.S. government and agency securities 20,097 20 — 20,117 20,117 — $ 95,672 $ 20 $ (153 ) $ 95,539 $ 20,174 $ 75,365 December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Gains Losses Assets: Cash equivalents: Commercial paper $ 7,997 $ — $ — $ 7,997 $ — $ 7,997 $ — Municipal bonds 1,635 — — 1,635 — 1,635 — Money market funds 54,663 — — 54,663 54,663 — — $ 64,295 $ — $ — $ 64,295 $ 54,663 $ 9,632 $ — Short-term investments: Municipal bonds $ 133,033 $ — $ (96 ) $ 132,937 $ — $ 132,937 $ — Commercial paper 5,493 — (3 ) 5,490 — 5,490 — Corporate bonds 30,488 3 (93 ) 30,398 — 30,398 — U.S. government and agency securities 61,559 — (62 ) 61,497 — 61,497 — Equity securities 123 — — 123 123 — — $ 230,696 $ 3 $ (254 ) $ 230,445 $ 123 $ 230,322 $ — Liabilities: Current liabilities: Deferred payment obligations $ 6,270 $ 3,887 $ — $ 2,383 $ — $ — $ 2,383 The Company's financial assets are generally classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity within accumulated other comprehensive loss. Realized gains and losses on these securities are included in other income (expense), net in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and have not been material for all periods presented. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , approximately 88% and 87% , respectively, of the Company's marketable security investments mature within one year and 12% and 13% , respectively, mature within one to five years. As of September 30, 2016 , no individual securities incurred continuous unrealized losses for greater than 12 months . As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had short-term cost method investments of nil and $0.6 million , respectively, which were recorded at amortized cost in short-term investments in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. In connection with the Rockstar Transaction (see Note 12, "Commitments and Contingencies"), the Company received funding of $6.3 million from a syndicate participant. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company settled the loan from the syndicate participant. Level 3 Valuation Techniques Level 3 financial liabilities as of December 31, 2015 consisted of a repayment obligation to a third party for which determination of fair value required significant judgment and estimation. Balances categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy were analyzed each period for changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as the Company deemed appropriate. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company used the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of the deferred payment obligation entered into in the Rockstar Transaction. This model incorporated assumptions about details such as the value of underlying securities, expected terms, maturity, risk-free interest rates, as well as volatility. A significant change in volatility and expected term could result in a significant change in fair value. The risk-free interest rate was based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term at the measurement date. The expected volatility was calculated using the standard deviation of the underlying security's weekly returns over the estimated period of time to take to settle the liability. The expected term of the liability was determined by the estimated settlement date of the liability. Changes in the fair value were recorded in other income (expense), net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company no longer holds any Level 3 financial assets or liabilities (see Note 12, "Commitments and Contingencies").

Patent Assets, Net

Patent Assets, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Patent Assets, Net [Abstract]
Patent Assets, Net	Patent Assets, Net Patent assets, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, Additions Disposals September 30, Patent assets $ 824,258 $ 71,961 $ (10,223 ) $ 885,996 Accumulated amortization (569,698 ) (119,793 ) 10,119 (679,372 ) Patent assets, net $ 254,560 $ 206,624 The Company’s acquired patent assets relate to technologies used or supplied by companies in a variety of market sectors, including consumer electronics, e-commerce, financial services, media distribution, mobile communications, networking, semiconductors and software. The Company amortizes each acquired patent asset portfolio on a straight-line basis over its estimated economic useful life. As of September 30, 2016 , the estimated economic useful lives of the Company’s patent assets generally ranged from 24 to 60 months . As of September 30, 2016 , the weighted-average estimated economic useful life at the time of acquisition of all patent assets acquired since the Company’s inception was 42 months . As of September 30, 2016 , the Company expects amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands): 2016 (remainder) $ 35,652 2017 105,361 2018 47,701 2019 14,900 2020 3,010 Total estimated future amortization expense $ 206,624 Amortization expense related to the Company's patent assets was $40.4 million and $36.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $119.9 million and $104.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and Equipment, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, Net	Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Internal-use software $ 7,706 $ 7,654 Leasehold improvements 2,110 1,799 Computer, equipment and software 5,166 1,387 Furniture and fixtures 935 818 Construction-in-progress 41 — Total property and equipment, gross 15,958 11,658 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (8,773 ) (6,925 ) Total property and equipment, net $ 7,185 $ 4,733 Depreciation and amortization expense related to the Company's property and equipment was $0.9 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $2.2 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	Business Combinations On January 22, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Inventus, to expand into the litigation discovery services market. The final purchase price for Inventus was approximately $232 million , net of working capital adjustments, which the Company paid in January 2016. The following table summarizes the cash paid and the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets and the liabilities assumed (in thousands) and the estimated useful lives of the acquired identifiable intangible assets: Preliminary Estimated Fair Value Estimated useful life Current assets $ 19,357 Intangible assets: Customer relationships 58,000 9 - 10 years Trademarks 3,200 1 - 6 years Developed technology 6,400 3 years Goodwill 145,984 Property, plant, equipment and other long term assets 3,347 Deferred tax asset 10,595 Current liabilities (7,280 ) Deferred tax liability (5,477 ) Other long term liabilities (826 ) Cash purchase consideration paid $ 233,300 The Company’s purchase price allocation for its acquisition of Inventus is preliminary and subject to revision as additional information about fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. Additional information that existed as of the acquisition date but at that time was unknown to the Company may become known to the Company during the remainder of the measurement period, a period not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date. The intangible assets acquired are amortized on a straight-line basis which reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be utilized. The goodwill recorded is primarily attributable to the Company's opportunity to expand into the litigation discovery services market and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded acquisition-related costs of $1.2 million which were expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company has included the financial results of Inventus in its condensed consolidated financial statements which includes revenue of $18.0 million and $47.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, and operating income of $2.7 million and $6.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations for the Company and Inventus as though the companies had been consolidated as of January 1, 2015, and includes the accounting effects resulting from the acquisition including amortization charges from the acquired intangible assets, $13.5 million of transaction costs incurred which were directly attributable to the acquisition of Inventus, and elimination of interest expenses and debt issuance and extinguishment costs associated with Inventus's historical debt which was extinguished upon the Company's acquisition of Inventus. This unaudited pro forma information also adjusts for Inventus's acquisition of London-based Unified OS Limited and certain of its affiliates as well as certain assets of Kooby LLP (collectively, "Unified") as though it had been consolidated as of January 1, 2015. The following unaudited pro forma financial information is for information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place as of January 1, 2015 (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenue $ 88,461 $ 85,052 $ 254,245 $ 258,350 Net income 8,115 7,986 17,091 20,960 Basic net income per share 0.16 0.15 0.34 0.38 Diluted net income per share 0.16 0.14 0.33 0.38

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by operating segment were as follows (in thousands): Patent Risk Management Discovery Services Total Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 19,978 $ — $ 19,978 Goodwill from business acquisition — 145,984 145,984 Foreign currency translation adjustments — (9,615 ) (9,615 ) Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 19,978 $ 136,369 $ 156,347 The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. As of September 30, 2016, no impairment of goodwill has been identified.

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible Assets, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible Assets, Net Intangible assets, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Weighted-average Life (years) Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Covenant not to compete 3.0 $ 1,900 $ (1,446 ) $ 454 $ 1,900 $ (971 ) $ 929 Proprietary data and models 3.7 2,100 (1,957 ) 143 2,100 (1,694 ) 406 Customer relationships 9.3 56,845 (4,915 ) 51,930 1,050 (659 ) 391 Trademarks 4.9 4,893 (2,254 ) 2,639 1,720 (1,645 ) 75 Developed technology 3.0 6,045 (1,528 ) 4,517 120 (120 ) — $ 71,783 $ (12,100 ) $ 59,683 $ 6,890 $ (5,089 ) $ 1,801 As of September 30, 2016 , the Company expects amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands): : 2016 (remainder) $ 2,446 2017 8,938 2018 8,409 2019 6,551 2020 6,434 Thereafter 26,905 Total estimated future amortization expense $ 59,683 Amortization expense related to the Company's intangible assets was $2.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $7.2 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accrued payroll-related expenses $ 9,350 $ 11,105 Accrued expenses 4,203 3,737 Total accrued liabilities $ 13,553 $ 14,842

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt On February 26, 2016, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") which provided for a $100 million five -year term facility (the "Term Facility") and a $50 million five -year revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), which remains undrawn as of September 30, 2016 . The Term Facility bears interest which is payable quarterly in arrears at the Company's option equal to either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% per annum or, at the Company's election, the one-, two-, three-, or six-month London interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 2.75% per annum, based upon the ratio of the Company's debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio. The outstanding balance on the Term Facility bore interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 at an average interest rate of 3.0% , which approximates fair value. The Revolving Credit Facility bears a commitment fee on undrawn balances of 0.35% to 0.45% per annum, also based upon the Company's debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA ratio, that are expensed as incurred. The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. The Company is compliant with these covenants as of September 30, 2016 . The Credit Agreement also includes limitations on the Company's debt incurrence, dividend payments, and disposal activities. As of September 30, 2016 , the Term Facility requires principal repayments in accordance with the following schedule (in thousands): 2016 (remainder) $ 1,250 2017 6,875 2018 9,375 2019 11,875 2020 18,125 2021 50,000 Long-term debt, gross 97,500 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,766 ) Long-term debt, net $ 95,734 Reported as: Current portion of long-term debt $ 5,849 Long-term debt 89,885 Total $ 95,734

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments The Company generally does not enter into long-term minimum purchase commitments. Its principal long-term commitments consist of obligations under operating leases for office space. Other than certain commitments obtained through the Company's acquisition of Inventus as shown below, there were no substantial changes to the Company’s contractual obligations or commitments during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to those presented under the heading “Commitments and Contingencies” in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016. Rent expense related to non-cancelable operating leases was $1.4 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, net of sublease income of $0.2 million earned during each period. Rent expense related to non-cancelable operating leases was $3.8 million and $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, net of sublease income of $0.5 million earned during each period. As of September 30, 2016 , the aggregate future non-cancelable minimum lease payments from the Company's operating leases acquired through its acquisition of Inventus are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 296 2017 1,148 2018 1,135 2019 904 2020 619 Thereafter 838 Future non-cancelable minimum operating lease payments $ 4,940 Less: minimum payments to be received from non-cancelable subleases (629 ) Total future non-cancelable minimum operating lease payments, net $ 4,311 Through its acquisition of Inventus, the Company also acquired a three-year contractual commitment totaling $5.3 million related to its third-party discovery service software license, of which $1.8 million remains unpaid as of September 30, 2016 and will be paid within twelve months. Deferred Payment Obligations On December 22, 2014, the Company and RPX Clearinghouse LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Rockstar Consortium US LP, Rockstar Consortium LLC, Bockstar Technologies LLC, Constellation Technologies LLC, MobileStar Technologies LLC, and NetStar Technologies LLC (the “Sellers”), for the purchase of substantially all of the patent assets owned or controlled by the Sellers (the “Rockstar Transaction”). In connection with the Rockstar Transaction, the Company acquired certain common stock, convertible preferred stock, and redeemable convertible preferred stock investments held by the Sellers. To fund the acquisition of these securities, the Company received funding of $6.3 million from a syndicate participant and seller financing of $5.9 million . The seller financing was settled during the year ended December 31, 2015. The loan received from the syndicate participant bore no interest. The terms of the obligation required repayment up to the $6.3 million received only to the extent proceeds are received from the sale of the common and convertible preferred stock securities, which resulted in a difference between the funding received and the fair value of the loan. The Company elected to carry this loan at fair value and categorized it as a Level 3 instrument due to the significance of unobservable inputs developed using company-specific information to estimate the loan’s fair value. Changes in fair value are reported in other income (expense), net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. This loan was settled without payment during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of $0.5 million recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . This loan decreased from $2.4 million to nil during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to a $1.9 million fair value adjustment and a $0.5 million gain on extinguishment which were recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Litigation From time to time, the Company may be a party to various litigation claims in the normal course of business. Legal fees and other costs associated with such actions are expensed as incurred. The Company assesses, in conjunction with its legal counsel, the need to record a liability for litigation or contingencies. A liability is recorded when and if it is determined that such a liability for litigation or contingencies is both probable and reasonably estimable. No liability for litigation or contingencies was recorded as of September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015 . In April 2016, Sourceprose Corporation filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas against the Company alleging breach of an agreement with the plaintiff to purchase certain patent assets and breach of a non-disclosure agreement with plaintiff. In July 2016, the Court transferred the litigation to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief. The Company is not currently able to determine whether there is a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred, nor can we estimate the potential loss or range of the potential loss that may result from this litigation. In June 2013, Kevin O’Halloran, as Trustee of the Liquidating Trust of Teltronics, Inc. (the “Debtor”), filed a complaint in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida against the Company and Harris Corporation (the “Defendants”). The complaint alleges that the Defendants are liable under federal and state bankruptcy law regarding fraudulent transfers for the value of a patent portfolio purchased by the Company from Harris Corporation pursuant to an agreement entered into in January 2009, and within four years of the date the Debtor filed its petition in bankruptcy. In February 2015, the Court held a trial and in November 2015 entered judgment in favor of the Defendants. In December 2015, the Debtor filed an appeal of the judgment to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In August 2016, the District Court affirmed the judgment in favor of the Defendants. In September 2016, the Debtor filed an appeal of the judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The Company is not currently able to determine whether there is a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred, nor can it estimate the potential loss or range of the potential loss that may result from this litigation. In March 2012, Cascades Computer Innovations LLC filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Court”) against the Company and five of its clients (collectively the “Defendants”). The complaint alleges that the Defendants violated federal antitrust law, California antitrust law and California unfair competition law. The complaint further alleges that after the Company terminated its negotiations with the plaintiff to license certain patents held by the plaintiff, the Defendants violated the law by jointly refusing to negotiate or accept licenses under the plaintiff’s patents. The plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages and injunctive relief. In January 2013, the Court dismissed the complaint against the Defendants and granted the plaintiff leave to amend its complaint. In February 2013, the plaintiff filed an amended lawsuit alleging that the Defendants violated federal antitrust law, California antitrust law and California unfair competition law. In April 2016, the Court entered a final judgment in favor of the Defendants on all the plaintiff's claims. In April 2016, the plaintiff filed an appeal of the judgment. The Company is not currently able to determine whether there is a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred, nor can it estimate the potential loss or range of the potential loss that may result from this litigation. Guarantees and Indemnifications The Company has, in connection with the sale of patent assets, agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the buyer of such patent assets for losses resulting from breaches of representations and warranties made by the Company. The terms of these indemnification agreements are generally perpetual. The maximum amount of potential future indemnification is unlimited. To date, the Company has not paid any amount to settle claims or defend lawsuits. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate the maximum amount that could be payable under these arrangements since these obligations are not capped but are conditional to the unique facts and circumstances involved. The Company had no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015 . The Company has no reason to believe that there is any material liability related to such indemnification provisions. The Company does not indemnify its clients for patent infringement. In accordance with its amended and restated bylaws, the Company also indemnifies certain officers and employees for losses incurred in connection with actions, suits or proceedings threatened or brought against such officer or employee arising from his or her service to the Company as an officer or employee, subject to certain limitations. The term of the indemnification period is indefinite. The maximum amount of potential future indemnification is unspecified. The Company has no reason to believe that there is any material liability for actions, events or occurrences that have occurred to date. Reserves for Known and Incurred but not Reported Claims In August 2012, the Company began offering insurance to cover certain costs of litigation brought against its insured clients. In March 2014, the Company formed a reinsurance company to assume a portion of the underwriting risk on insurance policies that the Company issues on behalf of a Lloyd's of London underwriting syndicate. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded a reserve of $0.8 million for known and incurred but not reported claims that represents estimated claim costs and related expenses for the policies underwritten and its portion of the underwriting risk on policies that the Company issued on behalf of the Lloyd's of London underwriting syndicate. The Company regularly reviews loss reserves using a variety of actuarial techniques and updates them as its loss experience develops.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity Equity Plans A summary of the Company’s activity under its equity-settled award plans and related information is as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Options Outstanding Shares Available for Grant Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years Aggregate Intrinsic Value Balance - December 31, 2015 3,159 2,340 $ 11.11 Shares authorized (1) 2,000 — — Options exercised — (433 ) 8.67 Options forfeited/canceled 121 (121 ) 13.20 Restricted stock units granted (2,620 ) — — Restricted stock units forfeited 522 — — Restricted stock units withheld related to net-share settlement of restricted stock units 319 — — Balance - September 30, 2016 3,501 1,786 11.56 4.5 $ 2,947 Vested and exercisable - September 30, 2016 1,783 11.57 4.5 2,925 Vested and expected to vest - September 30, 2016 1,787 11.56 4.5 2,947 ( 1) In the fir st quarter of 2016 , the Company reserved an additional 2.0 million shares of its common stock for future issuance under the 2011 Plan. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $0.5 million and $0.6 million , respectively, and $0.8 million and $6.4 million for stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The total grant date fair value of stock options vested during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $0.2 million and $0.8 million , respectively, and $1.2 million and $2.6 million for stock options vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Restricted Stock Units The summary of RSU activity, which includes performance-based restricted stock units (“PBRSUs”), is as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value Non-vested units - December 31, 2015 2,490 $ 13.35 Granted 2,620 10.96 Vested (917 ) 13.3 Forfeited (522 ) 13.32 Non-vested units - September 30, 2016 3,671 11.62 $ 39,235 The total grant date fair value of RSUs vested during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $2.9 million and $3.7 million , respectively, and $9.0 million and $10.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. In October 2013, the Board of Directors approved net-share settlement for tax withholdings on RSU vesting. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company withheld issuing 319,434 shares of its common stock based on the value of the RSUs on their vesting dates as determined by the Company’s closing common stock price. Total payments to taxing authorities for employees’ minimum tax obligations were $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , and were recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital and reflected as a financing activity within the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The net-share settlements reduced the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued on the vesting date and increased the number of shares reserved for future issuance under the 2011 Plan. Stock-Based Compensation Related to Employees and Directors The fair value of RSUs granted to employees and directors is measured by reference to the fair value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. PBRSUs granted during the three months ended September 30, 2016 contain service and performance conditions that affect the quantity of awards that will vest. PBRSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 contain service, performance, and market conditions that affect the quantity of awards that will vest. PBRSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 contain both service and performance conditions that affect the quantity of awards that will vest. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company granted 19,375 and nil PBRSUs, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company granted 115,657 and 54,375 PBRSUs, respectively. The Company estimates the grant date fair value of PBRSUs which include market conditions using the Monte Carlo simulation model which is only applicable to the PBRSUs that contain service and market conditions granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of PBRSUs with market conditions and the resulting fair values are as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Dividend yield — % Risk-free rate 1.08 % Expected volatility 38 % Expected term - in years 4 Grant date fair value $ 6.28 Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options granted to employees and directors was $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $0.9 million and $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs granted to employees and directors was $4.1 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $12.8 million and $10.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to PBRSUs granted to employees was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $0.5 million for each nine month period ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . As of September 30, 2016 , there was $0.1 million and $38.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options and RSUs, including PBRSUs, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.1 years and 2.7 years, respectively. Future grants of equity awards will increase the amount of stock-based compensation expense to be recorded. Stock Repurchase Program On February 10, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $75.0 million of its outstanding common stock with no expiration date from the date of authorization. In March 2016 and May 2016, the Company increased its share repurchase program by $25 million and $50 million , respectively, for a total amount authorized of $150 million . As of September 30, 2016 , the Company repurchased $76.9 million of the outstanding common stock. Under the program, shares may be purchased in open market transactions, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason. The Company’s share repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire any specific number of shares. The Company repurchased shares of its common stock in the open market, which were retired upon repurchase. The purchase price for the repurchased shares is reflected as a reduction to common stock and retained earnings in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Share repurchase activity during the period presented was as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Shares Repurchased Average Price per Share Value of Shares Repurchased Cumulative repurchase activity as of December 31, 2015 1,993 $ 13.12 $ 26,175 Repurchase activity during the period 5,022 10.11 50,752 Cumulative repurchase activity as of September 30, 2016 7,015 $ 10.97 $ 76,927

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate based upon a projection of its annual fiscal year results to measure the income tax benefit or expense recognized in each interim period. The Company’s effective tax rate, including the impact of discrete benefit items, was 36% and 38% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and 37% and 38% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company's 2013 through 2015 tax periods are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the 2011 through 2015 tax periods are open to examination by most state tax authorities. Inventus's federal income tax return for fiscal year 2013 is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and at this time, although the outcome is subject to significant uncertainty, the Company believes it has valid positions supporting its tax return and does not expect that proposed adjustments, if any, would be material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Related-Party Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions During the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , four and three members, respectively, of the Company’s Board of Directors also served on the boards of directors of RPX clients. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , four and five members, respectively, of the Company's Board of Directors also served on the boards of directors of RPX clients. The Company recognized subscription revenue from these clients in the amount of $2.4 million and $2.3 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $7.3 million and $6.9 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company recognized selling, general, and administrative expenses from products and services provided by these clients of $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.2 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , there were $0.1 million and nil receivables, respectively, due from these clients. These transactions with related-parties were conducted on terms equivalent to those prevailing in arm's length transactions.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available. Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to the acquisition of Inventus in January 2016, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer reviewed financial information presented on a consolidated basis and, as a result, the Company concluded that there was only one operating and reportable segment. Subsequent to the acquisition of Inventus (see Note 7, Business Combinations), the Company's Chief Executive Officer reviews separate financial information for the patent risk management and discovery services businesses. Therefore as of January 2016, the Company has two reportable segments: 1) patent risk management which generates its revenues primarily from membership subscriptions, premiums earned from insurance policies, and management fees for marketing, underwriting, and claim management and 2) discovery services which generates its revenues primarily from fees generated for data collection, hosting and processing, project management, and document review services. There are no material internal revenue transactions between these two reportable segments. Although Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance determined in accordance with GAAP, the Company's chief operating decision maker evaluates segment financial performance by utilizing the segment's Adjusted EBITDA because the Company believes it is a useful supplemental measure that reflects core operating performance and provides an indicator of the segment's ability to generate cash. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income exclusive of provision for income taxes, interest and other income (expense), net, stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes, depreciation, and amortization. There are limitations in using the Company's measures of financial performance that are not determined in accordance with GAAP and these may be different from other financial measures not determined in accordance with GAAP used by other companies. These financial measures are limited in value because they exclude certain items that may have a material impact on the Company's reported financial results. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by the Company about which items are adjusted to calculate its financial measures not determined in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of financial measures not determined in accordance with GAAP should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for or superior to financial results determined in accordance with GAAP. Summarized financial information by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 utilized by the Company's chief operating decision maker is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2016 Patent Risk Management Revenue $ 70,474 $ 203,482 Cost of revenue 41,555 123,337 Selling, general and administrative expenses 17,575 59,112 Operating income 11,344 21,033 Stock-based compensation, including related taxes 4,205 13,974 Depreciation and amortization 41,226 122,402 Adjusted EBTIDA $ 56,775 $ 157,409 Discovery Services Revenue $ 17,987 $ 47,823 Cost of revenue 9,275 24,229 Selling, general and administrative expenses 6,040 17,302 Operating income 2,672 6,292 Stock-based compensation, including related taxes 136 365 Depreciation and amortization 2,499 6,910 Adjusted EBTIDA $ 5,307 $ 13,567 Consolidated Revenue $ 88,461 $ 251,305 Cost of revenue 50,830 147,566 Selling, general and administrative expenses 23,615 76,414 Operating income $ 14,016 $ 27,325 The Company markets its solutions to companies around the world. Revenue is generally attributed to geographic areas based on the country in which the client is domiciled. The following table presents revenue by location and revenue generated by country as a percentage of total revenue for the applicable period, for countries representing 10% or more of revenues for one or more of the periods presented (dollars in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 United States $ 50,068 56 % $ 42,352 62 % $ 144,720 58 % $ 139,347 64 % Japan 11,192 13 8,921 13 29,105 12 27,406 12 Korea 5,480 6 7,290 11 19,819 8 21,259 10 Rest of world 21,721 25 9,649 14 57,661 22 31,038 14 Total revenue $ 88,461 100 % $ 68,212 100 % $ 251,305 100 % $ 219,050 100 % The following table reconciles the Company's subtotal segment Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated net income: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2016 Subtotal segment adjusted EBITDA $ 62,082 $ 170,976 Depreciation and amortization 43,725 129,312 Stock-based compensation, including related taxes 4,341 14,339 Interest and other income (expense), net (1,250 ) (994 ) Provision for income taxes 4,651 9,829 Net income $ 8,115 $ 16,502

Basis of Presentation and Sig22

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016 , the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 , which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 26, 2016. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items, necessary to state fairly the results of the interim periods have been included in the accompanying financial statements. Operating results for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Net Income Per Share (Tables)

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share Available To Common Stockholders	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income $ 8,115 $ 7,834 $ 16,502 $ 33,895 Denominator: Basic shares: Weighted-average shares used in computing basic net income per share 49,713 54,800 50,932 54,491 Diluted shares: Weighted-average shares used in computing basic net income per share 49,713 54,800 50,932 54,491 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury-stock method 534 903 530 1,056 Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share 50,247 55,703 51,462 55,547 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.14 $ 0.32 $ 0.62 Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.14 $ 0.32 $ 0.61
Anti-Dilutive Securities Not Included In Diluted Shares Outstanding Calculation	The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding as the effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Outstanding weighted-average: Stock options 739 657 782 681 Restricted stock units 1,519 223 2,253 202

Financial Instruments (Tables)

Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	The following tables present the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): September 30, 2016 Amortized Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Gains Losses Assets: Cash equivalents: Commercial paper $ 15,847 $ — $ — $ 15,847 $ — $ 15,847 Money market funds 16,542 — — 16,542 16,542 — Municipal bonds 11,156 — — 11,156 — 11,156 $ 43,545 $ — $ — $ 43,545 $ 16,542 $ 27,003 Short-term investments: Commercial paper $ 2,192 $ — $ — $ 2,192 $ — $ 2,192 Corporate bonds 10,887 — (23 ) 10,864 — 10,864 Equity securities 123 — (66 ) 57 57 — Municipal bonds 62,373 — (64 ) 62,309 — 62,309 U.S. government and agency securities 20,097 20 — 20,117 20,117 — $ 95,672 $ 20 $ (153 ) $ 95,539 $ 20,174 $ 75,365 December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Gains Losses Assets: Cash equivalents: Commercial paper $ 7,997 $ — $ — $ 7,997 $ — $ 7,997 $ — Municipal bonds 1,635 — — 1,635 — 1,635 — Money market funds 54,663 — — 54,663 54,663 — — $ 64,295 $ — $ — $ 64,295 $ 54,663 $ 9,632 $ — Short-term investments: Municipal bonds $ 133,033 $ — $ (96 ) $ 132,937 $ — $ 132,937 $ — Commercial paper 5,493 — (3 ) 5,490 — 5,490 — Corporate bonds 30,488 3 (93 ) 30,398 — 30,398 — U.S. government and agency securities 61,559 — (62 ) 61,497 — 61,497 — Equity securities 123 — — 123 123 — — $ 230,696 $ 3 $ (254 ) $ 230,445 $ 123 $ 230,322 $ — Liabilities: Current liabilities: Deferred payment obligations $ 6,270 $ 3,887 $ — $ 2,383 $ — $ — $ 2,383
Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Gains Losses Assets: Cash equivalents: Commercial paper $ 7,997 $ — $ — $ 7,997 $ — $ 7,997 $ — Municipal bonds 1,635 — — 1,635 — 1,635 — Money market funds 54,663 — — 54,663 54,663 — — $ 64,295 $ — $ — $ 64,295 $ 54,663 $ 9,632 $ — Short-term investments: Municipal bonds $ 133,033 $ — $ (96 ) $ 132,937 $ — $ 132,937 $ — Commercial paper 5,493 — (3 ) 5,490 — 5,490 — Corporate bonds 30,488 3 (93 ) 30,398 — 30,398 — U.S. government and agency securities 61,559 — (62 ) 61,497 — 61,497 — Equity securities 123 — — 123 123 — — $ 230,696 $ 3 $ (254 ) $ 230,445 $ 123 $ 230,322 $ — Liabilities: Current liabilities: Deferred payment obligations $ 6,270 $ 3,887 $ — $ 2,383 $ — $ — $ 2,383

Patent Assets, Net (Tables)

Patent Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Patent Assets, Net [Abstract]
Patent Assets, Net	Patent assets, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, Additions Disposals September 30, Patent assets $ 824,258 $ 71,961 $ (10,223 ) $ 885,996 Accumulated amortization (569,698 ) (119,793 ) 10,119 (679,372 ) Patent assets, net $ 254,560 $ 206,624
Expected Future Annual Amortization Of Patent Assets	As of September 30, 2016 , the Company expects amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands): 2016 (remainder) $ 35,652 2017 105,361 2018 47,701 2019 14,900 2020 3,010 Total estimated future amortization expense $ 206,624

Property and Equipment, Net (Ta

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract]
Property And Equipment, Net	Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Internal-use software $ 7,706 $ 7,654 Leasehold improvements 2,110 1,799 Computer, equipment and software 5,166 1,387 Furniture and fixtures 935 818 Construction-in-progress 41 — Total property and equipment, gross 15,958 11,658 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (8,773 ) (6,925 ) Total property and equipment, net $ 7,185 $ 4,733

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions	The following table summarizes the cash paid and the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets and the liabilities assumed (in thousands) and the estimated useful lives of the acquired identifiable intangible assets: Preliminary Estimated Fair Value Estimated useful life Current assets $ 19,357 Intangible assets: Customer relationships 58,000 9 - 10 years Trademarks 3,200 1 - 6 years Developed technology 6,400 3 years Goodwill 145,984 Property, plant, equipment and other long term assets 3,347 Deferred tax asset 10,595 Current liabilities (7,280 ) Deferred tax liability (5,477 ) Other long term liabilities (826 ) Cash purchase consideration paid $ 233,300
Schedule of proforma information	The following unaudited pro forma financial information is for information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place as of January 1, 2015 (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenue $ 88,461 $ 85,052 $ 254,245 $ 258,350 Net income 8,115 7,986 17,091 20,960 Basic net income per share 0.16 0.15 0.34 0.38 Diluted net income per share 0.16 0.14 0.33 0.38

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by operating segment were as follows (in thousands): Patent Risk Management Discovery Services Total Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 19,978 $ — $ 19,978 Goodwill from business acquisition — 145,984 145,984 Foreign currency translation adjustments — (9,615 ) (9,615 ) Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 19,978 $ 136,369 $ 156,347

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible assets, net, consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Weighted-average Life (years) Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Covenant not to compete 3.0 $ 1,900 $ (1,446 ) $ 454 $ 1,900 $ (971 ) $ 929 Proprietary data and models 3.7 2,100 (1,957 ) 143 2,100 (1,694 ) 406 Customer relationships 9.3 56,845 (4,915 ) 51,930 1,050 (659 ) 391 Trademarks 4.9 4,893 (2,254 ) 2,639 1,720 (1,645 ) 75 Developed technology 3.0 6,045 (1,528 ) 4,517 120 (120 ) — $ 71,783 $ (12,100 ) $ 59,683 $ 6,890 $ (5,089 ) $ 1,801
Expected Future Annual Amortization Of Intangible Assets	As of September 30, 2016 , the Company expects amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands): 2016 (remainder) $ 35,652 2017 105,361 2018 47,701 2019 14,900 2020 3,010 Total estimated future amortization expense $ 206,624
Intangible Assets Net
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Expected Future Annual Amortization Of Intangible Assets	As of September 30, 2016 , the Company expects amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands): : 2016 (remainder) $ 2,446 2017 8,938 2018 8,409 2019 6,551 2020 6,434 Thereafter 26,905 Total estimated future amortization expense $ 59,683

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Accrued payroll-related expenses $ 9,350 $ 11,105 Accrued expenses 4,203 3,737 Total accrued liabilities $ 13,553 $ 14,842

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of repayments of principal	As of September 30, 2016 , the Term Facility requires principal repayments in accordance with the following schedule (in thousands): 2016 (remainder) $ 1,250 2017 6,875 2018 9,375 2019 11,875 2020 18,125 2021 50,000 Long-term debt, gross 97,500 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,766 ) Long-term debt, net $ 95,734 Reported as: Current portion of long-term debt $ 5,849 Long-term debt 89,885 Total $ 95,734

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of future minimum lease payments	As of September 30, 2016 , the aggregate future non-cancelable minimum lease payments from the Company's operating leases acquired through its acquisition of Inventus are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 296 2017 1,148 2018 1,135 2019 904 2020 619 Thereafter 838 Future non-cancelable minimum operating lease payments $ 4,940 Less: minimum payments to be received from non-cancelable subleases (629 ) Total future non-cancelable minimum operating lease payments, net $ 4,311

Stockholders_ Equity (Tables)

Stockholders’ Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of PBRSUs with market conditions and the resulting fair values are as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Dividend yield — % Risk-free rate 1.08 % Expected volatility 38 % Expected term - in years 4 Grant date fair value $ 6.28
Schedule of Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]	The Company repurchased shares of its common stock in the open market, which were retired upon repurchase. The purchase price for the repurchased shares is reflected as a reduction to common stock and retained earnings in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Share repurchase activity during the period presented was as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Shares Repurchased Average Price per Share Value of Shares Repurchased Cumulative repurchase activity as of December 31, 2015 1,993 $ 13.12 $ 26,175 Repurchase activity during the period 5,022 10.11 50,752 Cumulative repurchase activity as of September 30, 2016 7,015 $ 10.97 $ 76,927
Restricted Stock Unit Activity	The summary of RSU activity, which includes performance-based restricted stock units (“PBRSUs”), is as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Aggregate Intrinsic Value Non-vested units - December 31, 2015 2,490 $ 13.35 Granted 2,620 10.96 Vested (917 ) 13.3 Forfeited (522 ) 13.32 Non-vested units - September 30, 2016 3,671 11.62 $ 39,235
Activity Under Equity Settled Award Plans And Related Information	A summary of the Company’s activity under its equity-settled award plans and related information is as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Options Outstanding Shares Available for Grant Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years Aggregate Intrinsic Value Balance - December 31, 2015 3,159 2,340 $ 11.11 Shares authorized (1) 2,000 — — Options exercised — (433 ) 8.67 Options forfeited/canceled 121 (121 ) 13.20 Restricted stock units granted (2,620 ) — — Restricted stock units forfeited 522 — — Restricted stock units withheld related to net-share settlement of restricted stock units 319 — — Balance - September 30, 2016 3,501 1,786 11.56 4.5 $ 2,947 Vested and exercisable - September 30, 2016 1,783 11.57 4.5 2,925 Vested and expected to vest - September 30, 2016 1,787 11.56 4.5 2,947 ( 1) In the fir st quarter of 2016 , the Company reserved an additional 2.0 million shares of its common stock for future issuance under the 2011 Plan.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The following table reconciles the Company's subtotal segment Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated net income: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2016 Subtotal segment adjusted EBITDA $ 62,082 $ 170,976 Depreciation and amortization 43,725 129,312 Stock-based compensation, including related taxes 4,341 14,339 Interest and other income (expense), net (1,250 ) (994 ) Provision for income taxes 4,651 9,829 Net income $ 8,115 $ 16,502 Summarized financial information by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 utilized by the Company's chief operating decision maker is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2016 Patent Risk Management Revenue $ 70,474 $ 203,482 Cost of revenue 41,555 123,337 Selling, general and administrative expenses 17,575 59,112 Operating income 11,344 21,033 Stock-based compensation, including related taxes 4,205 13,974 Depreciation and amortization 41,226 122,402 Adjusted EBTIDA $ 56,775 $ 157,409 Discovery Services Revenue $ 17,987 $ 47,823 Cost of revenue 9,275 24,229 Selling, general and administrative expenses 6,040 17,302 Operating income 2,672 6,292 Stock-based compensation, including related taxes 136 365 Depreciation and amortization 2,499 6,910 Adjusted EBTIDA $ 5,307 $ 13,567 Consolidated Revenue $ 88,461 $ 251,305 Cost of revenue 50,830 147,566 Selling, general and administrative expenses 23,615 76,414 Operating income $ 14,016 $ 27,325
Revenue By Location	The following table presents revenue by location and revenue generated by country as a percentage of total revenue for the applicable period, for countries representing 10% or more of revenues for one or more of the periods presented (dollars in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 United States $ 50,068 56 % $ 42,352 62 % $ 144,720 58 % $ 139,347 64 % Japan 11,192 13 8,921 13 29,105 12 27,406 12 Korea 5,480 6 7,290 11 19,819 8 21,259 10 Rest of world 21,721 25 9,649 14 57,661 22 31,038 14 Total revenue $ 88,461 100 % $ 68,212 100 % $ 251,305 100 % $ 219,050 100 %

Net Income Per Share (Detail) -

Net Income Per Share (Detail) - Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share Available To Common Stockholders - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Numerator:
Net income	$ 8,115	$ 7,834	$ 16,502	$ 33,895
Basic shares:
Weighted-average shares used in computing basic net income per share	49,713	54,800	50,932	54,491
Diluted shares:
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury-stock method	534	903	530	1,056
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share	50,247	55,703	51,462	55,547
Net income per share:
Basic (dollars per common share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.32	$ 0.62
Diluted (dollars per common share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.32	$ 0.61

Net Income Per Share (Detail)36

Net Income Per Share (Detail) - Anti-Dilutive Securities Not Included In Diluted Shares Outstanding Calculation - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Stock options
Weighted-average:
Weighted-average anti-dilutive securities	739	657	782	681
Restricted stock units
Weighted-average:
Weighted-average anti-dilutive securities	1,519	223	2,253	202

Financial Instruments (Detail)

Financial Instruments (Detail) - Financial Assets Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 43,545	$ 64,295
Short-term investments, amortized cost	95,672	230,696
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	20	3
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	(153)	(254)
Short-term investments, total estimated fair value	95,539	230,445
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	16,542	54,663
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	20,174	123
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	27,003	9,632
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	75,365	230,322
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0
Short-term investments, estimated fair value		0
Other Debt Obligations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred payment obligation, amortized cost		6,270
Deferred payment obligation, unrealized gains		3,887
Deferred payment obligation, estimated fair value		2,383
Other Debt Obligations | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred payment obligation, estimated fair value		0
Other Debt Obligations | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred payment obligation, estimated fair value		0
Other Debt Obligations | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred payment obligation, estimated fair value		2,383
Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, amortized cost	62,373	133,033
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	(64)	(96)
Short-term investments, total estimated fair value	62,309	132,937
Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	0	0
Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	62,309	132,937
Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value		0
Commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, amortized cost	2,192	5,493
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	(3)
Short-term investments, total estimated fair value	2,192	5,490
Commercial paper | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	0	0
Commercial paper | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	2,192	5,490
Commercial paper | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value		0
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, amortized cost	10,887	30,488
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	3
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	(23)	(93)
Short-term investments, total estimated fair value	10,864	30,398
Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	0	0
Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	10,864	30,398
Corporate bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value		0
U.S. government and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, amortized cost	20,097	61,559
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	20	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0	(62)
Short-term investments, total estimated fair value	20,117	61,497
U.S. government and agency securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	20,117	0
U.S. government and agency securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	0	61,497
U.S. government and agency securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value		0
Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, amortized cost	123	123
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0	0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	(66)	0
Short-term investments, total estimated fair value	57	123
Equity securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	57	123
Equity securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value	0	0
Equity securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments, estimated fair value		0
Commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	15,847	7,997
Commercial paper | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Commercial paper | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	15,847	7,997
Commercial paper | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0
Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	11,156	1,635
Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	11,156	1,635
Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		0
Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	16,542	54,663
Money market funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	16,542	54,663
Money market funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 0	0
Money market funds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents		$ 0

Financial Instruments (Detail)

Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 600
Amount of funding		$ 6,300
Percentage of marketable securities investments maturing within one year	88.00%	88.00%	87.00%
Percentage of marketable securities investments maturing within one to five years	12.00%	12.00%	13.00%
Other Debt Obligations
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of loan from syndicate participant			$ 2,383
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Debt Obligations
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of loan from syndicate participant			$ 2,383
Minimum
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Maturity term within one year (in years)	1 year		1 year
Maturity term within one to five years (in years)	1 year		1 year
Maximum
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Maturity term within one to five years (in years)	5 years		5 years

Patent Assets, Net (Detail)

Patent Assets, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization - Additions	$ 2,500	$ 400	$ 7,200	$ 1,300
Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization - Additions			119,793
Amortization expense	$ 40,400	$ 36,200	$ 119,900	$ 104,400
Minimum | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Patent assets, useful life			24 months
Maximum | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Patent assets, useful life			60 months
Weighted Average | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Patent assets, useful life	42 months

Patent Assets, Net (Detail) - P

Patent Assets, Net (Detail) - Patent Assets, Net - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Patent assets, beginning balance			$ 6,890
Patent assets - Additions			71,021	$ 84,068
Patent assets, ending balance	$ 71,783		71,783
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			(5,089)
Accumulated amortization - Additions	(2,500)	$ (400)	(7,200)	(1,300)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	(12,100)		(12,100)
Patent assets, net	206,624		206,624		$ 254,560
Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	40,400	$ 36,200	119,900	$ 104,400
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Patent assets, beginning balance			824,258
Patent assets - Additions			71,961
Patent assets - Sales			(10,223)
Patent assets, ending balance	885,996		885,996
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			(569,698)
Accumulated amortization - Additions			(119,793)
Accumulated amortization - Sales			10,119
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	(679,372)		(679,372)
Patent assets, net	$ 206,624		$ 206,624		$ 254,560
Minimum | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			24 months
Maximum | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			60 months
Weighted Average | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	42 months

Patent Assets, Net (Detail) - E

Patent Assets, Net (Detail) - Expected Future Annual Amortization Expense Of Patent Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2016 (remainder)	$ 2,446
2,017	8,938
2,018	8,409
2,019	6,551
2,020	6,434
Patent assets, net	206,624	$ 254,560
Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2016 (remainder)	35,652
2,017	105,361
2,018	47,701
2,019	14,900
2,020	3,010
Patent assets, net	$ 206,624	$ 254,560

Property and Equipment, Net (De

Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 43,725		$ 129,312	$ 107,026
Property and equipment, types
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 900	$ 400	$ 2,200	$ 1,300

Property and Equipment, Net (43

Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - Property And Equipment, Net - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, gross	$ 15,958	$ 11,658
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(8,773)	(6,925)
Total property and equipment, net	7,185	4,733
Internal-use software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Internal-use software	7,706	7,654
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold improvements	2,110	1,799
Computer, equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Computer, equipment and software	5,166	1,387
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Furniture and fixtures	935	818
Construction-in-progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction-in-progress	$ 41	$ 0

Business Combinations - Narrati

Business Combinations - Narrative and Schedule of Business Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 22, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 156,347		$ 156,347		$ 19,978
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 232,000
Revenue		88,461	$ 68,212	251,305	$ 219,050
Operating income (loss)		14,016	$ 11,800	27,325	$ 53,030
Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets		19,357		19,357
Property, plant, equipment and other long term assets		3,347		3,347
Deferred tax asset		10,595		10,595
Current liabilities		(7,280)		(7,280)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent		(5,477)		(5,477)
Other long term liabilities		(826)		(826)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 233,300
Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition related costs		1,200
Revenue		18,000		47,800
Operating income (loss)		2,672		6,292
Transaction costs		13,500		13,500
Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services | Operating Segments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		136,369		$ 136,369		$ 0
Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				9 years 3 months 18 days
Customer relationships | Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets		58,000		$ 58,000
Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				4 years 10 months 25 days
Trademarks | Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets		3,200		$ 3,200
Developed technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				3 years
Developed technology | Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets		$ 6,400		$ 6,400
Minimum | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				9 years
Minimum | Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				1 year
Maximum | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				10 years
Maximum | Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				6 years

Business Combinations - Schedul

Business Combinations - Schedule of Proforma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ 14,016	$ 11,800	$ 27,325	$ 53,030
Revenue	88,461	85,052	254,245	258,350
Net income	$ 8,115	$ 7,986	$ 17,091	$ 20,960
Pro forma earnings per share - basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.34	$ 0.38
Pro forma earnings per share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.33	$ 0.38
Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ 2,672		$ 6,292
Transaction costs	$ 13,500		$ 13,500

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 19,978
Goodwill from business acquisition	145,984
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(9,615)
Goodwill	156,347
Operating Segments | Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	0
Goodwill from business acquisition	145,984
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(9,615)
Goodwill	136,369
Operating Segments | Legacy RPX, Patent Risk Management
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	19,978
Goodwill from business acquisition	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill	$ 19,978

Intangible Assets, Net (Detail)

Intangible Assets, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 2.5	$ 0.4	$ 7.2	$ 1.3

Intangible Assets, Net (Detai48

Intangible Assets, Net (Detail) - Intangible Assets, Net - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying amount	$ 71,783		$ 71,783		$ 6,890
Accumulated amortization	(12,100)		(12,100)		(5,089)
Total estimated future amortization expense	59,683		59,683		1,801
Amortization of intangible assets	2,500	$ 400	7,200	$ 1,300
Covenant not to compete
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying amount	1,900		1,900		1,900
Accumulated amortization	(1,446)		(1,446)		(971)
Total estimated future amortization expense	454		$ 454		929
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			3 years
Proprietary data and models
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying amount	2,100		$ 2,100		2,100
Accumulated amortization	(1,957)		(1,957)		(1,694)
Total estimated future amortization expense	143		$ 143		406
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			3 years 8 months 12 days
Customer relationships
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying amount	56,845		$ 56,845		1,050
Accumulated amortization	(4,915)		(4,915)		(659)
Total estimated future amortization expense	51,930		$ 51,930		391
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			9 years 3 months 18 days
Trademarks
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying amount	4,893		$ 4,893		1,720
Accumulated amortization	(2,254)		(2,254)		(1,645)
Total estimated future amortization expense	2,639		$ 2,639		75
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			4 years 10 months 25 days
Developed technology
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying amount	6,045		$ 6,045		120
Accumulated amortization	(1,528)		(1,528)		(120)
Total estimated future amortization expense	$ 4,517		$ 4,517		$ 0
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			3 years

Intangible Assets, Net (Detai49

Intangible Assets, Net (Detail) - Estimated Future Amortization Expenses For Intangible Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
2016 (remainder)	$ 2,446
2,017	8,938
2,018	8,409
2,019	6,551
2,020	6,434
Thereafter	26,905
Total estimated future amortization expense	$ 59,683	$ 1,801

Accrued Liabilities (Detail) -

Accrued Liabilities (Detail) - Accrued Liabilities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	$ 13,553	$ 14,842
Accrued payroll-related expenses
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	9,350	11,105
Accrued expenses
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	$ 4,203	$ 3,737

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 26, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		3.00%		3.00%
Interest expense		$ 922,000	$ 0	$ 2,155,000	$ 0
Term Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount of credit facility	$ 100,000,000
Term of credit facility	5 years
Term Facility | Minimum | Base Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage margin	1.25%
Term Facility | Minimum | LIBOR
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage margin	2.25%
Term Facility | Maximum | Base Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage margin	1.75%
Term Facility | Maximum | LIBOR
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage margin	2.75%
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount of credit facility	$ 50,000,000
Term of credit facility	5 years
Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee on undrawn balances (as a percent)	0.35%
Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee on undrawn balances (as a percent)	0.45%

Debt - Schedule of Repayments o

Debt - Schedule of Repayments of Principal (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (1,766)
Long-term debt, gross	95,734
Current portion of long-term debt	5,849	$ 0
Long-term debt	89,885	$ 0
Term Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
2,016	1,250
2,017	6,875
2,018	9,375
2,019	11,875
2,020	18,125
2,021	50,000
Long-term debt, gross	$ 97,500

Commitments and Contingencies53

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2012defendant	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Rent expense related to non-cancelable operating leases net of sublease income		$ 1,400	$ 900	$ 3,800	$ 2,600
Sublease income		200		$ 500	500
Contractual obligation term				3 years
Contractual commitment		5,300		$ 5,300
Remaining balance on contractual commitment		1,800		1,800
Amount of funding				6,300
Amount of seller financing							$ 5,900
Gain on extinguishment		500		463	$ 0
Number of defendants | defendant	5
Reserves for known and incurred but not reported claims		800		800
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Debt Obligations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gain recognized as a result of changes in fair value		$ 0		0		$ 2,400
Fair value adjustment				$ 1,900

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 296
2,017	1,148
2,018	1,135
2,019	904
2,020	619
Thereafter	838
Future non-cancelable minimum operating lease payments	4,940
Less: minimum payments to be received from non-cancelable subleases	(629)
Total future non-cancelable minimum operating lease payments, net	$ 4,311

Stockholders_ Equity (Detail)

Stockholders’ Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan (in shares)	[1]			2,000,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised		$ 500	$ 600	$ 800	$ 6,400
Total fair value of stock options vested		200	800	1,200	2,600
Total fair value of RSUs vested		2,900	$ 3,700	$ 9,000	10,800
Shares withheld for tax withholdings (in shares)				319,434
Total payments for the employees’ minimum tax obligations to taxing authorities				$ 3,135	3,670
PBRSUs granted (in shares)			0
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		100	$ 700	900	2,200
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested equity awards		100		$ 100
Weighted-average service period of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested equity awards				1 month
Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		4,100	$ 3,700	$ 12,800	$ 10,500
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested equity awards		$ 38,500		$ 38,500
Weighted-average service period of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested equity awards				2 years 8 months
Performance-based restricted stock units with a market condition
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
PBRSUs granted (in shares)		19,375	0	115,657	54,375
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 100	$ 200	$ 500	$ 500
2011 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan (in shares)				2,000,000
[1]	In the first quarter of 2016, the Company reserved an additional 2.0 million shares of its common stock for future issuance under the 2011 Plan.

Stockholders_ Equity (Detail) -

Stockholders’ Equity (Detail) - Activity Under Equity Award Plans And Related Information $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Shares Available for Grant - Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	3,159,000
Number of Shares - Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	2,340,000
Shares Available for Grant - Shares authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	[1]
Number of Shares - Options exercised (in shares)	(433,000)
Shares Available for Grant - Options forfeited/canceled	121,000
Number of Shares - Options forfeited/canceled (in shares)	(121,000)
Share Available for Grant - Restricted stock units granted (in shares)	(2,620,000)
Shares Available for Grant - Restricted stock units forfeited (in shares)	522,000
Shares Available for Grant - Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	3,501,000
Number of Shares - Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	1,786,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Weighted-Average Exercise Price - Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 11.11
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Options exercised (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	8.67
Weighted-Average Exercise Price - Options forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.20
Shares Available for Grant - Restricted stock units withheld related to net-share settlement of restricted stock units (in shares)	319,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price - Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 11.56
Outstanding (weighted-average contractual life)	4 years 6 months
Outstanding (intrinsic value) | $	$ 2,947
Vested and exercisable
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Vested and exercisable (shares)	1,783,000
Vested and exercisable (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 11.57
Vested and exercisable (weighted-average contractual life)	4 years 6 months
Vested and exercisable (intrinsic value) | $	$ 2,925
Vested and expected to vest
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Vested and expected to vest (shares)	1,787,000
Vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 11.56
Vested and expected to vest (weighted-average contractual life)	4 years 6 months
Vested and expected to vest (intrinsic value) | $	$ 2,947
[1]	In the first quarter of 2016, the Company reserved an additional 2.0 million shares of its common stock for future issuance under the 2011 Plan.

Stockholders_ Equity (Detail)57

Stockholders’ Equity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Unit Activity $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Non-vested units, beginning balance (in shares) | shares	2,490,000
Non-vested units, ending balance (in shares) | shares	3,671,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Non-vested units, beginning balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.35
Non-vested units, ending balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 11.62
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options, nonvested, intrinsic value | $	$ 39,235
Restricted stock units granted
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares) | shares	2,620,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 10.96
Restricted stock units vested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Vested (in shares) | shares	(917,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.30
Restricted stock units forfeited
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(522,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 13.32

Stockholders_ Equity (Detail)58

Stockholders’ Equity (Detail) - Weighted Average Assumptions To Estimate The Fair Value Of Equity Awards - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 4.1	$ 3.7	$ 12.8	$ 10.5
Performance-based restricted stock units with a market condition
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield				0.00%
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0.1	0.2	0.5	$ 0.5
Risk-free rate				1.08%
Expected volatility				38.00%
Grant date fair value (in usd per share)	$ 6.28
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0.1	$ 0.7	$ 0.9	$ 2.2
Expected term - in years				4 years

Stockholders_ Equity (Detail)59

Stockholders’ Equity (Detail) - Repurchased and Retired Common Stock - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Share repurchase program, authorized amount	$ 150,000		$ 75,000
Increase in authorized amount	$ 50,000	$ 25,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares repurchased, balance as of beginning of period (in shares)	1,993
Shares repurchased, repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)	5,022
Shares repurchased, balance as of end of period (in shares)	7,015
Shares repurchased, average price per share at beginning of period (usd per share)	$ 13.12
Shares repurchased, average price per share for repurchase of shares of common stock (usd per share)	10.11
Shares repurchased, average price per share at end of period (usd per share)	$ 10.97
Shares repurchased, value of shares repurchased as of beginning of period	$ 26,175
Shares repurchased, value of repurchase of shares of common stock	50,752
Shares repurchased, value of shares repurchased as of end of period	$ 76,927

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Deta

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	36.00%	38.00%	37.00%	38.00%

Related-Party Transactions (Det

Related-Party Transactions (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)board_member	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)board_member	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)board_member	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)board_member	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	$ 2.4	$ 2.3	$ 7.3	$ 6.9
Selling, general, and administrative expenses from products and services provided by clients	0.2	$ 0.1	0.6	$ 0.2
Receivables due from related parties	$ 0.1		$ 0.1		$ 0
Director
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of directors | board_member	4	3	4	5

Segment Reporting (Detail)

Segment Reporting (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	$ 8,115	$ 7,834	$ 16,502	$ 33,895
Provision for income taxes	4,651	4,842	9,829	21,066
Interest and other (income) expense, net	1,250	(876)	994	(1,931)
Revenue	88,461	68,212	251,305	219,050
Cost of revenue	50,830	37,639	147,566	109,383
Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,615	18,773	76,414	57,229
Operating income	14,016	$ 11,800	27,325	53,030
Stock-based compensation, including related taxes	4,341		14,339
Depreciation and amortization	43,725		129,312	$ 107,026
Adjusted EBTIDA	62,082		$ 170,976
Number of reportable segments | segment			2
Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	18,000		$ 47,800
Operating income	2,672		6,292
Operating Segments | Legacy RPX
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	70,474		203,482
Cost of revenue	41,555		123,337
Selling, general and administrative expenses	17,575		59,112
Operating income	11,344		21,033
Stock-based compensation, including related taxes	4,205		13,974
Depreciation and amortization	41,226		122,402
Adjusted EBTIDA	56,775		157,409
Operating Segments | Inventus Solutions Inc., Discovery Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of revenue	9,275		24,229
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,040		17,302
Stock-based compensation, including related taxes	136		365
Depreciation and amortization	2,499		6,910
Adjusted EBTIDA	$ 5,307		$ 13,567

Segment Reporting (Detail) - Re

Segment Reporting (Detail) - Revenue By Location - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 88,461	$ 68,212	$ 251,305	$ 219,050
Total revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
United States	56.00%	62.00%	58.00%	64.00%
Total revenue	$ 50,068	$ 42,352	$ 144,720	$ 139,347
Japan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other foreign country	13.00%	13.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Total revenue	$ 11,192	$ 8,921	$ 29,105	$ 27,406
Korea
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other foreign country	6.00%	11.00%	8.00%	10.00%
Total revenue	$ 5,480	$ 7,290	$ 19,819	$ 21,259
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other foreign country	25.00%	14.00%	22.00%	14.00%
Total revenue	$ 21,721	$ 9,649	$ 57,661	$ 31,038