Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Discontinued Operations, Statement of Operations
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1,765)	$ (4,681)	$ (4,721)	$ (32,789)	$ (1,381)	$ 474	$ (6,446)	$ (38,417)	$ 2,516
Assets held for sale:
Total assets held for sale	0				5,206				0	5,206
Liabilities held for sale:
Total liabilities held for sale	0				5,120				0	5,120
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations, Statement of Operations
Revenue									1,493	23,904	23,135
Operating income (loss)									(4,786)	(39,164)	3,247
Loss on disposal of assets and liabilities									(876)
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary									(375)
Gain (loss) on realization of cumulative translation adjustment									(630)
Pre-tax income (loss)									(6,667)	(39,215)	3,039
Provision/Benefit for taxes									(221)	(798)	523
Net loss from discontinued operations									(6,446)	(38,417)	2,516
Discontinued Operations \| France and Netherlands Subsidiaries [Member]
Discontinued Operations, Statement of Operations
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary									(375)
Assets held for sale:
Cash					159					159
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts					2,864					2,864
Prepaid expenses and other current assets					339					339
Property and equipment, net					975					975
Goodwill					720					720
Other assets					149					149
Total assets held for sale					5,206					5,206
Liabilities held for sale:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses					2,797					2,797
Accrued compensation					756					756
Deferred revenue					257					257
Other current liabilities					464					464
Debt facilities					846					846
Total liabilities held for sale					5,120					5,120
Discontinued Operations \| France Subsidiary
Discontinued Operations, Statement of Operations
Revenue									658	4,175	0
Operating income (loss)									(387)	(14,695)	0
Loss on disposal of assets and liabilities									0
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary									318
Gain (loss) on realization of cumulative translation adjustment									140
Pre-tax income (loss)									71	(14,702)	0
Provision/Benefit for taxes									0	(2,127)	0
Net loss from discontinued operations									71	(12,575)	0
Discontinued Operations \| Netherlands Subsidiary
Discontinued Operations, Statement of Operations
Revenue									835	2,789	3,068
Operating income (loss)									10	(424)	(996)
Loss on disposal of assets and liabilities									0
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary									(693)
Gain (loss) on realization of cumulative translation adjustment									128
Pre-tax income (loss)									(555)	(435)	(1,006)
Provision/Benefit for taxes									0	0	0
Net loss from discontinued operations									(555)	(435)	(1,006)
Discontinued Operations \| India and the Asia Pacific Region
Discontinued Operations, Statement of Operations
Revenue									0	16,940	20,067
Operating income (loss)									(4,409)	(24,045)	4,243
Loss on disposal of assets and liabilities									(876)
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary									0
Gain (loss) on realization of cumulative translation adjustment									(898)
Pre-tax income (loss)									(6,183)	(24,078)	4,045
Provision/Benefit for taxes									(221)	1,329	523
Net loss from discontinued operations									$ (5,962)	$ (25,407)	$ 3,522

MOTRICITY INC 10-K