Daily Journal (DJCO) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	783412
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		1,380,746
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	FALSE

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$11,855,000	$15,410,000
Marketable securities at fair value, including common stocks of $164,589,000 and bonds of $8,276,000 at March 31, 2015 and common stocks of $165,734,000 and bonds of $7,942,000 at September 30, 2014	172,865,000	173,676,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively	6,563,000	8,566,000
Inventories	38,000	51,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	844,000	983,000
Income tax receivable	868,000	2,051,000
Total current assets	193,033,000	200,737,000
Land, buildings and improvements	12,759,000	12,814,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software	3,132,000	2,889,000
Machinery and equipment	1,864,000	1,864,000
	17,755,000	17,567,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-8,633,000	-8,552,000
	9,122,000	9,015,000
Intangibles, net	15,296,000	17,744,000
Goodwill	13,400,000	13,400,000
Deferred income taxes	3,744,000	2,981,000
	234,595,000	243,877,000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	4,367,000	4,344,000
Accrued liabilities	3,293,000	3,118,000
Deferred income taxes, net	43,097,000	46,502,000
Total current liabilities	67,822,000	73,272,000
Investment margin account borrowings	29,493,000	29,493,000
Deferred maintenance agreements	184,000	180,000
Income tax payable	3,121,000	3,244,000
Accrued interest and penalty for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits	581,000	537,000
Accrued liabilities	530,000	780,000
Total long term liabilities	33,909,000	34,234,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014	14,000	14,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,755,000	1,755,000
Retained earnings	59,238,000	58,301,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	71,857,000	76,301,000
Total shareholders' equity	132,864,000	136,371,000
	234,595,000	243,877,000
Subscription Arrangement [Member]
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deferred subscriptions	3,392,000	3,381,000
Deferred Installation Contracts [Member]
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deferred subscriptions	8,224,000	8,896,000
Deferred Maintenance Agreement [Member]
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deferred subscriptions	$5,449,000	$7,031,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Marketable securities, common stock	$164,589,000	$165,734,000
Marketable securities, bonds	8,276,000	7,942,000
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$250,000	$250,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,805,053	1,805,053
Common stock, treasury shares (in shares)	424,307	424,307

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Advertising	$2,549,000	$2,796,000	$5,253,000	$5,644,000
Circulation	1,460,000	1,476,000	2,984,000	3,016,000
Advertising service fees and other	650,000	661,000	1,335,000	1,337,000
Licensing and maintenance fees	3,680,000	3,135,000	7,437,000	6,143,000
Consulting fees	1,418,000	1,109,000	2,610,000	1,526,000
Other public service fees	1,635,000	1,651,000	3,096,000	3,113,000
	11,392,000	10,828,000	22,715,000	20,779,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	6,771,000	6,358,000	13,383,000	12,857,000
Other outside services	835,000	801,000	1,682,000	1,587,000
Postage and delivery expenses	312,000	305,000	644,000	626,000
Newsprint and printing expenses	258,000	251,000	600,000	580,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,367,000	1,385,000	2,727,000	2,749,000
Other general and administrative expenses	2,815,000	2,246,000	5,006,000	4,167,000
	12,358,000	11,346,000	24,042,000	22,566,000
Loss from operations	-966,000	-518,000	-1,327,000	-1,787,000
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income	860,000	622,000	1,688,000	1,276,000
Other income and capital gains	14,000	25,000	32,000	51,000
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits	-24,000		-44,000
Interest expense	-55,000	-56,000	-112,000	-117,000
(Loss) income before income taxes	-171,000	73,000	237,000	-577,000
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	675,000	-20,000	700,000	-10,000
Net income	504,000	53,000	937,000	-587,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	1,380,746	1,380,746	1,380,746	1,380,746
Basic and diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.04	$0.68	($0.43)
Comprehensive (loss) income
Net income	504,000	53,000	937,000	-587,000
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (net of taxes)	-802,000	10,667,000	-4,444,000	18,866,000
	($298,000)	$10,720,000	($3,507,000)	$18,279,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$937,000	($587,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations
Depreciation and amortization	2,727,000	2,749,000
Gains on sales of marketable securities	-4,000
Deferred income taxes	-862,000	-375,000
Discounts earned on bonds	-2,000	-2,000
(Increase) decrease in current assets (net of acquisitions)
Accounts receivable, net	2,003,000	-25,000
Inventories	13,000	18,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	139,000	427,000
Income tax receivable	1,183,000	289,000
Increase (decrease) in liabilities (net of acquisitions)
Accounts payable	23,000	-66,000
Accrued liabilities	-31,000	-1,874,000
Income taxes	-123,000	79,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,764,000	145,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Sales of marketable securities	4,044,000
Purchases of marketable securities	-10,977,000
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-386,000	-209,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,319,000	-209,000
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-3,555,000	-64,000
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	15,410,000	11,338,000
End of period	11,855,000	11,274,000
Interest paid during period	112,000	110,000
Net income taxes (refunded) paid during period	-899,000	17,000
Subscription Arrangement [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities (net of acquisitions)
Deferred subscriptions	11,000	17,000
Deferred Maintenance Agreement [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities (net of acquisitions)
Deferred subscriptions	-1,578,000	-1,390,000
Deferred Installation Contracts [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities (net of acquisitions)
Deferred subscriptions	($672,000)	$885,000

Note_1_The_Corporation_and_Ope

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
	Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona, as well as the California Lawyer magazine, and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising.
	Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, includes as of October 1, 2014, the combined operations of Sustain Technologies, Inc. (“Sustain”), a wholly-owned subsidiary since 2008; New Dawn Technologies, Inc. (“New Dawn”), acquired in December 2012; and ISD Technologies, Inc. (“ISD”), acquired in September 2013. Effective October 1, 2014, Sustain and ISD merged into New Dawn, and New Dawn changed its name to Journal Technologies. The merger was concluded in accordance with
	Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)
	805-50-15, Business Combinations - Transactions Between Entities Under Common Control
	which is when a parent’s subsidiary issues its shares in exchange for shares of another subsidiary previously owned by the same parent. Because pushdown accounting had been applied at the time of acquisitions, all assets and liabilities of Sustain and ISD were integrated into Journal Technologies at their carrying book values. Journal Technologies supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to bar members and the public, including a website to pay traffic citations online. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 41 states, 3 U.S. territories and 2 other countries.
	Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona and Utah.

Note_2_Basis_of_Presentation

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	Note 2 - Basis of Presentation
	In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of March 31, 2015, its results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and its cash flows for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

Note_3_Basic_and_Diluted_Incom

Note 3 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Note 3 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share
	The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore the basic and diluted income per share are the same.

Note_4_Intangible_Assets

Note 4 - Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 4 - Intangible Assets
	Intangible Assets
		31-Mar-15									30-Sep-14
		Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
	Gross intangible	$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000		$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000
	Accumulated		(8,199,000	)		(980,000	)		(9,179,000	)		(6,004,000	)		(727,000	)		(6,731,000	)
	amortization
		$	13,751,000		$	1,545,000		$	15,296,000		$	15,946,000		$	1,798,000		$	17,744,000
	These identifiable intangible assets are being amortized over five years for financial statement purposes due to the short life cycle of technology that customer relationships depend on and over a 15-year period on a straight line basis for tax purposes. The intangible amortization expenses were $2,448,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2015 as compared with $2,419,000 in the prior year period.

Note_5_Goodwill

Note 5 - Goodwill	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 5 – Goodwill
	The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with ASC 350,
	Intangibles — Goodwill and Other
	. Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over a 15-year period for tax purposes, but evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation with respect to Journal Technologies include the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the marketplace, the status of deferred installation contracts and new business, among other things.
	In addition, Accounting Standards Codification 2011-08,
	Testing Goodwill for Impairment
	, allows for the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined based on qualitative factors that there is no impairment to goodwill, then the fair value of a reporting unit is not needed. If a quantitative analysis is required and the unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step is performed to measure the amount of potential impairment. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis in 2014 did not result in an impairment charge based on the qualitative assessment. There was no goodwill impairment during the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Note_6_Revenue_Recognition

Note 6 - Revenue Recognition	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 6 – Revenue Recognition
	For the Company’s traditional publishing business (the “Traditional Business”), proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded for the accounts receivable.
	8
	Journal Technologies recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASC 985-605,
	Software—Revenue Recognition
	and ASC 605-35
	Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts
	. Revenues from leases of software products are recognized over the life of the lease while revenues from software product sales are generally recognized upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement. Revenues from annual license and maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period. Consulting and other services are recognized upon acceptance by the customers under the completed contract method. The Company elects to use the completed contract method because each customer’s acceptance is unpredictable and reliable estimates of the progress towards completion cannot be made. Only after a customer’s acceptance of a completed project are customer advances generally no longer at risk of refund and are therefore considered earned.
	Approximately 58% and 52% of the Company’s revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were derived from Journal Technologies.
	The Company has established Vendor Specific Objective Evidence (VSOE) of fair value of the annual maintenance because a substantial majority of the Journal Technologies’ actual maintenance renewals is within a narrow range of pricing as a percentage of the underlying license fees for the legacy contracts and is deemed substantive.

Note_7_Income_Taxes

Note 7 - Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 7 - Income Taxes
	For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $700,000 on pretax income of $237,000. The income tax benefit was the result of
	applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2015 to pretax income for the six months ended March 31, 2015. The effective tax rate is lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction, the domestic production activity deduction and a discrete benefit of about $400,000 related to the California Enterprise Zone credits. On a pretax loss of $577,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded a tax provision of $10,000 which was the net result from applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2014 to the loss from continuing operations for the first two quarters of fiscal 2014. The Company’s effective tax rate was -295% and -2% for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2011 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2010 for state income taxes.
	At March 31, 2015, the Company had an
	accrued liability of approximately $3,121,000 for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits relating to an acquisition in fiscal 2013. The Company does not anticipate a significant increase or decrease in this liability in the next twelve months.   If recognized, it is expected that these unrecognized tax benefits would not have a significant impact on the Company’s effective tax rate. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, interest expense of approximately $44,000 was recorded as “interest and penalty expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits” in the statement of comprehensive income (loss).

Note_8_Investments_in_Marketab

Note 8 - Investments in Marketable Securities	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 8 - Investments in Marketable Securities
	Investments in marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820,
	Fair Value Measurement
	. As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, an unrealized gain of $117,948,000 and $125,700,000, respectively, was recorded net of taxes of $45,590,000 and $48,896,000, respectively, in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions.
	9
	Investments in equity securities and securities with fixed maturity as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are summarized below.
		Investments
		31-Mar-15						30-Sep-14
		(Unaudited)
		Aggregate		Amortized/Adjusted		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate		Amortized/Adjusted		Pretax unrealized gains
		fair value		cost basis				fair value		cost basis
	Marketable securities
	Common stocks	$	164,589,000	$	49,980,000	$	114,609,000	$	165,734,000	$	43,042,000	$	122,692,000
	Bonds		8,276,000		4,937,000		3,339,000		7,942,000		4,934,000		3,008,000
	Total	$	172,865,000	$	54,917,000	$	117,948,000	$	173,676,000	$	47,976,000	$	125,700,000
	All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. The bonds mature in 2039.
	As of
	March 31, 2015, the Company perform
	ed separate evaluations for impaired equity securities to determine if the unrealized losses
	were other-than-temporary. This evaluation
	considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and
	the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold these securities to recovery focuses on liquidity need
	s, asset/liability management objectives and securities portfolio objectives.
	Based on the results of th
	e evaluation
	s,
	the Company concluded that as of
	March 31, 2015,
	all unrealized losses related to
	the equity securities
	it owns
	were temporary.

Note_9_Debt_and_Commitments_an

Note 9 - Debt and Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9 - Debt and Commitments and Contingencies
	In December 2012, the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the purchase price of $14 million for the New Dawn acquisition, and in September 2013, it borrowed another $15.5 million for the ISD acquisition, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 0.75%. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.
	The Company owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other Daily Journal offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through fiscal 2020. The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to these leased properties and certain other leased properties. Rental expenses for six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $588,000 and $633,000, respectively.
	From time to time, the Company is subject to litigation arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such litigation, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations or cash flows.

Note_10_Operating_Segments

Note 10 - Operating Segments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10 - Operating Segments
	The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) the Traditional Business and (ii) Journal Technologies. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:
		Reportable Segments
		Traditional		Journal			Non-operating items			Total
		Business		Technologies
	Six months ended March 31, 2015
	Revenues
	Advertising	$	5,253,000	$	---		$	---		$	5,253,000
	Circulation		2,984,000		---			---			2,984,000
	Advertising service fees and other		1,335,000		---			---			1,335,000
	Licensing and maintenance fees		---		7,437,000			---			7,437,000
	Consulting fees		---		2,610,000			---			2,610,000
	Other public service fees		---		3,096,000			---			3,096,000
	Operating expenses		9,176,000		14,866,000			---			24,042,000
	Income (loss) from operations		396,000		(1,723,000	)		---			(1,327,000	)
	Dividends and interest income		---		---			1,688,000			1,688,000
	Other income and capital gains		---		---			32,000			32,000
	Interest expense accrued for uncertain		---		---			(44,000	)		(44,000	)
	and unrecognized tax benefits
	Interest expenses		---		---			(112,000	)		(112,000	)
	Pretax income (loss)		396,000		(1,723,000	)		1,564,000			237,000
	Income tax benefit		---		---			700,000			700,000
	Net income (loss)		396,000		(1,723,000	)		2,264,000			937,000
	Total assets		14,012,000		47,718,000			172,865,000			234,595,000
	Capital expenditures		306,000		80,000			---			386,000
	Amortization of intangible assets		---		2,448,000			---			2,448,000
	Six months ended March 31, 2014
	Revenues
	Advertising	$	5,644,000	$	---			---		$	5,644,000
	Circulation		3,016,000		---			---			3,016,000
	Advertising service fees and other		1,337,000		---			---			1,337,000
	Licensing and maintenance fees		---		6,143,000			---			6,143,000
	Consulting fees		---		1,526,000			---			1,526,000
	Other public service fees		---		3,113,000			---			3,113,000
	Operating expenses		8,863,000		13,703,000			---			22,566,000
	Income (loss) from operations		1,134,000		(2,921,000	)		---			(1,787,000	)
	Dividends and interest income		---		---			1,276,000			1,276,000
	Other income and capital gains		---		---			51,000			51,000
	Interest expenses		---		---			(117,000	)		(117,000	)
	Pretax income (loss)		1,134,000		(2,921,000	)		1,210,000			(577,000	)
	Income tax (expense)		---		---			(10,000	)		(10,000	)
	Net income (loss)		1,134,000		(2,921,000	)		1,200,000			(587,000	)
	Total assets		10,169,000		47,329,000			173,676,000			231,174,000
	Capital expenditures		52,000		157,000			---			209,000
	Amortization of intangible assets		---		2,419,000			---			2,419,000
	11
		Reportable Segments
		Traditional		Journal			Non-operating items			Total
		Business		Technologies
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Revenues
	Advertising	$	2,549,000	$	---		$	---		$	2,549,000
	Circulation		1,460,000		---			---			1,460,000
	Advertising service fees and other		650,000		---			---			650,000
	Licensing and maintenance fees		---		3,680,000			---			3,680,000
	Consulting fees		---		1,418,000			---			1,418,000
	Other public service fees		---		1,635,000			---			1,635,000
	Operating expenses		4,553,000		7,805,000			---			12,358,000
	Income (loss) from operations		106,000		(1,072,000	)		---			(966,000	)
	Dividends and interest income		---		---			860,000			860,000
	Other income and capital gains		---		---			14,000			14,000
	Interest expense accrued for uncertain		---		---			(24,000	)		(24,000	)
	and unrecognized tax benefits
	Interest expenses		---		---			(55,000	)		(55,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		106,000		(1,072,000	)		795,000			(171,000	)
Income tax benefit		---		---			675,000			675,000
Net income (loss)		106,000		(1,072,000	)		1,470,000			504,000
Total assets		14,012,000		47,718,000			172,865,000			234,595,000
Capital expenditures		248,000		69,000			---			317,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---		1,224,000			---			1,224,000
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,796,000	$	---		$	---		$	2,796,000
Circulation		1,476,000		---			---			1,476,000
Advertising service fees and other		661,000		---			---			661,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---		3,135,000			---			3,135,000
Consulting fees		---		1,109,000			---			1,109,000
Other public service fees		---		1,651,000			---			1,651,000
Operating expenses		4,493,000		6,853,000			---			11,346,000
Income (loss) from operations		440,000		(958,000	)		---			(518,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---		---			622,000			622,000
Other income and capital gains		---		---			25,000			25,000
Interest expenses		---		---			(56,000	)		(56,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		440,000		(958,000	)		591,000			73,000
Income tax expense		---		---			(20,000	)		(20,000	)
Net income (loss)		440,000		(958,000	)		571,000			53,000
Total assets		10,169,000		47,329,000			173,676,000			231,174,000
Capital expenditures		27,000		91,000			---			118,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---		1,224,000			---			1,224,000

Note_11_Subsequent_Events

Note 11 - Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Note 11 - Subsequent Events
	The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that no subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the notes to consolidated financial statements or cash flows.

Note_4_Intangible_Assets_Table

Note 4 - Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Intangible Assets
		31-Mar-15									30-Sep-14
		Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
	Gross intangible	$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000		$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000
	Accumulated		(8,199,000	)		(980,000	)		(9,179,000	)		(6,004,000	)		(727,000	)		(6,731,000	)
	amortization
		$	13,751,000		$	1,545,000		$	15,296,000		$	15,946,000		$	1,798,000		$	17,744,000

Note_8_Investments_in_Marketab1

Note 8 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		Investments
		31-Mar-15						30-Sep-14
		(Unaudited)
		Aggregate		Amortized/Adjusted		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate		Amortized/Adjusted		Pretax unrealized gains
		fair value		cost basis				fair value		cost basis
	Marketable securities
	Common stocks	$	164,589,000	$	49,980,000	$	114,609,000	$	165,734,000	$	43,042,000	$	122,692,000
	Bonds		8,276,000		4,937,000		3,339,000		7,942,000		4,934,000		3,008,000
	Total	$	172,865,000	$	54,917,000	$	117,948,000	$	173,676,000	$	47,976,000	$	125,700,000

Note_10_Operating_Segments_Tab

Note 10 - Operating Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]		Reportable Segments
		Traditional		Journal			Non-operating items			Total
		Business		Technologies
	Six months ended March 31, 2015
	Revenues
	Advertising	$	5,253,000	$	---		$	---		$	5,253,000
	Circulation		2,984,000		---			---			2,984,000
	Advertising service fees and other		1,335,000		---			---			1,335,000
	Licensing and maintenance fees		---		7,437,000			---			7,437,000
	Consulting fees		---		2,610,000			---			2,610,000
	Other public service fees		---		3,096,000			---			3,096,000
	Operating expenses		9,176,000		14,866,000			---			24,042,000
	Income (loss) from operations		396,000		(1,723,000	)		---			(1,327,000	)
	Dividends and interest income		---		---			1,688,000			1,688,000
	Other income and capital gains		---		---			32,000			32,000
	Interest expense accrued for uncertain		---		---			(44,000	)		(44,000	)
	and unrecognized tax benefits
	Interest expenses		---		---			(112,000	)		(112,000	)
	Pretax income (loss)		396,000		(1,723,000	)		1,564,000			237,000
	Income tax benefit		---		---			700,000			700,000
	Net income (loss)		396,000		(1,723,000	)		2,264,000			937,000
	Total assets		14,012,000		47,718,000			172,865,000			234,595,000
	Capital expenditures		306,000		80,000			---			386,000
	Amortization of intangible assets		---		2,448,000			---			2,448,000
	Six months ended March 31, 2014
	Revenues
	Advertising	$	5,644,000	$	---			---		$	5,644,000
	Circulation		3,016,000		---			---			3,016,000
	Advertising service fees and other		1,337,000		---			---			1,337,000
	Licensing and maintenance fees		---		6,143,000			---			6,143,000
	Consulting fees		---		1,526,000			---			1,526,000
	Other public service fees		---		3,113,000			---			3,113,000
	Operating expenses		8,863,000		13,703,000			---			22,566,000
	Income (loss) from operations		1,134,000		(2,921,000	)		---			(1,787,000	)
	Dividends and interest income		---		---			1,276,000			1,276,000
	Other income and capital gains		---		---			51,000			51,000
	Interest expenses		---		---			(117,000	)		(117,000	)
	Pretax income (loss)		1,134,000		(2,921,000	)		1,210,000			(577,000	)
	Income tax (expense)		---		---			(10,000	)		(10,000	)
	Net income (loss)		1,134,000		(2,921,000	)		1,200,000			(587,000	)
	Total assets		10,169,000		47,329,000			173,676,000			231,174,000
	Capital expenditures		52,000		157,000			---			209,000
	Amortization of intangible assets		---		2,419,000			---			2,419,000
		Reportable Segments
		Traditional		Journal			Non-operating items			Total
		Business		Technologies
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Revenues
	Advertising	$	2,549,000	$	---		$	---		$	2,549,000
	Circulation		1,460,000		---			---			1,460,000
	Advertising service fees and other		650,000		---			---			650,000
	Licensing and maintenance fees		---		3,680,000			---			3,680,000
	Consulting fees		---		1,418,000			---			1,418,000
	Other public service fees		---		1,635,000			---			1,635,000
	Operating expenses		4,553,000		7,805,000			---			12,358,000
	Income (loss) from operations		106,000		(1,072,000	)		---			(966,000	)
	Dividends and interest income		---		---			860,000			860,000
	Other income and capital gains		---		---			14,000			14,000
	Interest expense accrued for uncertain		---		---			(24,000	)		(24,000	)
	and unrecognized tax benefits
	Interest expenses		---		---			(55,000	)		(55,000	)
	Pretax income (loss)		106,000		(1,072,000	)		795,000			(171,000	)
	Income tax benefit		---		---			675,000			675,000
	Net income (loss)		106,000		(1,072,000	)		1,470,000			504,000
Total assets		14,012,000		47,718,000			172,865,000			234,595,000
Capital expenditures		248,000		69,000			---			317,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---		1,224,000			---			1,224,000
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,796,000	$	---		$	---		$	2,796,000
Circulation		1,476,000		---			---			1,476,000
Advertising service fees and other		661,000		---			---			661,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---		3,135,000			---			3,135,000
Consulting fees		---		1,109,000			---			1,109,000
Other public service fees		---		1,651,000			---			1,651,000
Operating expenses		4,493,000		6,853,000			---			11,346,000
Income (loss) from operations		440,000		(958,000	)		---			(518,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---		---			622,000			622,000
Other income and capital gains		---		---			25,000			25,000
Interest expenses		---		---			(56,000	)		(56,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		440,000		(958,000	)		591,000			73,000
Income tax expense		---		---			(20,000	)		(20,000	)
Net income (loss)		440,000		(958,000	)		571,000			53,000
Total assets		10,169,000		47,329,000			173,676,000			231,174,000
Capital expenditures		27,000		91,000			---			118,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---		1,224,000			---			1,224,000

Note_4_Intangible_Assets_Detai

Note 4 - Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$1,224,000	$1,224,000	$2,448,000	$2,419,000
Tax Purposes [Member]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	15 years

Note_4_Summary_of_Intangible_A

Note 4 - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
	$24,475,000	$24,475,000
	-9,179,000	-6,731,000
	15,296,000	17,744,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
	21,950,000	21,950,000
	-8,199,000	-6,004,000
	13,751,000	15,946,000
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
	2,525,000	2,525,000
	-980,000	-727,000
	$1,545,000	$1,798,000

Note_5_Goodwill_Details_Textua

Note 5 - Goodwill (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		$0	$0
Goodwill Useful Life for Tax Purposes	15 years

Note_6_Revenue_Recognition_Det

Note 6 - Revenue Recognition (Details Textual) (Sales Revenue, Net [Member], Product Concentration Risk [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	58.00%	52.00%

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Te

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	($675,000)	$20,000	($700,000)	$10,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-171,000	73,000	237,000	-577,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent			-295.00%	-2.00%
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent	3,121,000		3,121,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense			$44,000

Note_8_Investments_in_Marketab2

Note 8 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	$117,948,000	$125,700,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments	$45,590,000	$48,896,000

Note_8_Summary_of_Investments_

Note 8 - Summary of Investments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$172,865,000	$173,676,000
Common stocks	54,917,000	47,976,000
Common stocks	117,948,000	125,700,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Marketable securities
Common stocks	164,589,000	165,734,000
Common stocks	49,980,000	43,042,000
Common stocks	114,609,000	122,692,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable securities
Common stocks	8,276,000	7,942,000
Common stocks	4,937,000	4,934,000
Common stocks	$3,339,000	$3,008,000

Note_9_Debt_and_Commitments_an1

Note 9 - Debt and Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 04, 2012	Sep. 13, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$588,000	$633,000
New Dawn [Member] | Margin Account [Member]
Proceeds from Other Debt			14,000,000
ISD Corporation [Member] | Margin Account [Member]
Proceeds from Other Debt				$15,500,000
Margin Account [Member] | Fed Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					0.50%
Margin Account [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	0.75%				0.75%

Note_10_Summarized_Financial_I

Note 10 - Summarized Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Advertising	$2,549,000	$2,796,000	$5,253,000	$5,644,000
Circulation	1,460,000	1,476,000	2,984,000	3,016,000
Advertising service fees and other	650,000	661,000	1,335,000	1,337,000
Licensing and maintenance fees	3,680,000	3,135,000	7,437,000	6,143,000
Consulting fees	1,418,000	1,109,000	2,610,000	1,526,000
Other public service fees	1,635,000	1,651,000	3,096,000	3,113,000
Operating expenses	12,358,000	11,346,000	24,042,000	22,566,000
Income (loss) from operations	-966,000	-518,000	-1,327,000	-1,787,000
Dividends and interest income	860,000	622,000	1,688,000	1,276,000
Other income and capital gains	14,000	25,000	32,000	51,000
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits	-24,000		-44,000
Interest expenses	-55,000	-56,000	-112,000	-117,000
(Loss) income before income taxes	-171,000	73,000	237,000	-577,000
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	675,000	-20,000	700,000	-10,000
Net income (loss)	504,000	53,000	937,000	-587,000
Total assets	234,595,000	231,174,000	234,595,000	231,174,000
Capital expenditures	317,000	118,000	386,000	209,000
Amortization of intangible assets	1,224,000	1,224,000	2,448,000	2,419,000
Traditional Business [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues
Advertising	2,549,000	2,796,000	5,253,000	5,644,000
Circulation	1,460,000	1,476,000	2,984,000	3,016,000
Advertising service fees and other	650,000	661,000	1,335,000	1,337,000
Operating expenses	4,553,000	4,493,000	9,176,000	8,863,000
Income (loss) from operations	106,000	440,000	396,000	1,134,000
(Loss) income before income taxes	106,000	440,000	396,000	1,134,000
Net income (loss)	106,000	440,000	396,000	1,134,000
Total assets	14,012,000	10,169,000	14,012,000	10,169,000
Capital expenditures	248,000	27,000	306,000	52,000
Journal Technologies [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues
Licensing and maintenance fees	3,680,000	3,135,000	7,437,000	6,143,000
Consulting fees	1,418,000	1,109,000	2,610,000	1,526,000
Other public service fees	1,635,000	1,651,000	3,096,000	3,113,000
Operating expenses	7,805,000	6,853,000	14,866,000	13,703,000
Income (loss) from operations	-1,072,000	-958,000	-1,723,000	-2,921,000
(Loss) income before income taxes	-1,072,000	-958,000	-1,723,000	-2,921,000
Net income (loss)	-1,072,000	-958,000	-1,723,000	-2,921,000
Total assets	47,718,000	47,329,000	47,718,000	47,329,000
Capital expenditures	69,000	91,000	80,000	157,000
Amortization of intangible assets	1,224,000	1,224,000	2,448,000	2,419,000
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Revenues
Dividends and interest income	860,000	622,000	1,688,000	1,276,000
Other income and capital gains	14,000	25,000	32,000	51,000
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits			-44,000
Interest expenses	-55,000	-56,000	-112,000	-117,000
(Loss) income before income taxes	795,000	591,000	1,564,000	1,210,000
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	675,000	-20,000	700,000	-10,000
Net income (loss)	1,470,000	571,000	2,264,000	1,200,000
Total assets	$172,865,000	$173,676,000	$172,865,000	$173,676,000