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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2020	May 07, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VirnetX Holding Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0001082324
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		70,838,177
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Address, State or Province	NV

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 435,812	$ 3,135
Investments available for sale	1,336	2,394
Accounts receivable	5	5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	628	237
Total current assets	437,781	5,771
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,601	1,711
Property and equipment, net	15	16
Deferred tax benefit	8,722	0
Total assets	448,119	7,498
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,620	1,346
Accrued licensing costs	90,101	0
Accrued payroll and related expenses	223	287
Other liabilities, current	53	193
Income tax liability	41,481	0
Total current liabilities	136,478	1,826
Other liabilities	31	44
Total liabilities	136,509	1,870
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share Authorized: 10,000,000 shares at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Issued and outstanding: 0 shares at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share Authorized: 100,000,000 shares at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Issued and outstanding: 70,838,177 shares and 69,586,764 shares, at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	229,271	223,237
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	82,343	(217,602)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11)	(14)
Total stockholders' equity	311,610	5,628
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 448,119	$ 7,498

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	70,838,177	69,586,764
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	70,838,177	69,586,764

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 302,576	$ 8
Operating expense:
Licensing costs	90,101	0
Research and development	1,905	936
Selling, general and administrative	27,376	4,706
Total operating expense	119,382	5,642
Income (Loss) from operations	183,194	(5,634)
Gain	41,271	0
Interest and other income, net	108,239	28
Income (Loss) before taxes	332,704	(5,606)
Provision for income taxes	(32,759)	(2)
Net Income (loss)	$ 299,945	$ (5,608)
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.26	$ (0.08)
Diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.20	$ (0.08)
Weighted average shares outstanding basic (in shares)	70,365	67,596
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted (in shares)	71,384	67,596

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 299,945	$ (5,608)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized gain, net of tax	2	1
Change in foreign currency translation, net of tax	1	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3	1
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 299,948	$ (5,607)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 7	$ 208,317	$ (198,422)	$ (14)	$ 9,888
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	66,879,847
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued for cash, net		2,848			2,848
Stock issued for cash, net (in shares)	560,338
Stock-based compensation		785			785
Stock issued for options and RSUs, net		816			816
Stock issued for options and RSUs, net (in shares)	663,816
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)			(5,608)		(5,608)
Change in unrealized gain, net				1	1
Change in foreign currency translation, net					0
Comprehensive income (loss)					(5,607)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 7	212,766	(204,030)	(13)	8,730
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	68,104,001
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 7	223,237	(217,602)	(14)	5,628
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019	69,586,764
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued for cash, net		4,488			4,488
Stock issued for cash, net (in shares)	1,049,382
Stock-based compensation		778			778
Stock issued for options and RSUs, net		768			768
Stock issued for options and RSUs, net (in shares)	202,031
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)			299,945		299,945
Change in unrealized gain, net				2	2
Change in foreign currency translation, net				1	1
Comprehensive income (loss)					299,948
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 7	$ 229,271	$ 82,343	$ (11)	$ 311,610
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020	70,838,177

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Minimum [Member]
Stock issued for cash, net (in dollars per share)	$ 4.00	$ 5.05
Maximum [Member]
Stock issued for cash, net (in dollars per share)	$ 4.96	$ 5.42

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 299,945	$ (5,608)
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation	1	2
Stock-based compensation	778	785
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivables	0	(2)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(281)	(201)
Deferred tax benefit	(8,722)	0
Other liabilities	(153)	31
Accounts payable	3,274	229
Accrued licensing costs	90,101	0
Accrued payroll and related expenses	(64)	(54)
Income tax liability	41,481	(1)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	426,360	(4,819)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of investments	(200)	(2,283)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments	1,261	1,054
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,061	(1,229)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of options	768	816
Proceeds from sale of common stock	4,488	2,848
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,256	3,664
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	432,677	(2,384)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,135	7,611
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	435,812	5,227
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 0	$ 2

Business Description and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Business Description and Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2020
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Business Description and Basis of Presentation	Note 1 — Business Description and Basis of Presentation VirnetX Holding Corporation, which we refer to as “we”, “us”, “our”, “the Company” or “VirnetX”, is engaged in the business of commercializing a portfolio of patents. We seek to license our technology, including GABRIEL Connection Technology™, to various original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, that use our technologies in the development and manufacturing of their own products within the IP-telephony, mobility, fixed-mobile convergence and unified communications markets. Since 2012 we had revenues from settlements of patent infringement disputes whereby we received consideration for past sales of licensees that utilized our technology, where there was no prior patent license agreement, as well as license agreement revenues from settlements providing licensing for the continued use of our technology (see “Revenue Recognition”). Our portfolio of intellectual property is the foundation of our business model. We currently own approximately 194 total patents and pending applications, including 70 U.S. patents/patent applications and 124 foreign patents/validations/pending applications. Our patent portfolio is primarily focused on securing real-time communications over the Internet, as well as related services such as the establishment and maintenance of a secure domain name registry. Our patented methods also have additional applications in the key areas of device operating systems and network security for Cloud services, Machine-to-Machine (“M2M”), communications in areas including “Smart City,” “Connected Car” and “Connected Home.” All our U.S. and foreign patents and pending patent applications relate generally to securing communications over the internet and as such, cover all our technology and other products. Our issued U.S. and foreign patents expire at various times during the period from 2020 to 2024. Some of our issued patents and pending patent applications were acquired by our principal operating subsidiary, VirnetX, Inc., from Leidos, Inc. (“Leidos”) (f/k/a Science Applications International Corporation, or SAIC) in 2006 and we are required to make payments to Leidos based on cash or certain other values generated from those patents in certain circumstances. The amount of such payments depends upon the type of value generated and certain categories are subject to maximums and other limitations. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company accrued $90,101, in conjunction with proceeds received from Apple Inc., pursuant to a favorable court decision relating to a patent infringement case (see “Note 7— Litigation”).

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are unaudited. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). In our opinion, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position as of March 31, 2020, our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020.

Use of Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In doing so, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In some cases, we could reasonably have used different accounting policies and estimates. In some cases, changes in our accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected. We base our estimates on past experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, at the time they are made, and we evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as critical accounting policies and estimates, which we discuss further below.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. None of these reclassifications had an impact on reported operating expenses, operating income or net income for any of the periods presented.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of VirnetX Holding Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement, giving the Company a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset, is a lease at inception. Operating lease ROU assets are included in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the arrangement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Other assets at March 31, 2020, includes an ROU asset related to a facility lease for corporate promotional and marketing purposes. The facility lease was paid in full at inception and the ROU is being amortized over the 10-year term of the lease. Other assets also include a ROU related to our office operating lease which expires in October 2021 (See Note 8 - Leases).

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue from licensing and royalty fees from contracts with customers which often span several years. We account for this revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Our revenue arrangements may consist of multiple-element arrangements, with revenue for each unit of accounting recognized as the product or service is delivered to the customer.

With the licensing of our patents, performance obligations are generally satisfied at a point in time as work is complete when our patent rights are transferred to our customers. We generally have no further obligation to our customers regarding our technology.

Certain contracts may require our customers to enter into a hosting arrangement with us and for these arrangements, revenue is recognized over time, generally over the life of the servicing contract.

The Company actively monitors and enforces its intellectual property (“IP”) rights, including seeking appropriate compensation from third parties that utilize the Company’s IP without a license. As a result, the Company may, from time to time, receive payments as part of a settlement or compensation for a patent infringement dispute. Proceeds received are allocated to each element identified in the settlement or compensation, based on the fair value of each element. Generally, settlements and compensation may include the following elements: the value of a license or royalty agreement, cost reimbursement, damages and interest. Elements identified related to licensing and royalty are recognized as revenue. Elements identified as reimbursed costs are generally recorded as a reduction to the reported expenses. Elements identified as damages or interest are generally recorded in other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Company collected a lump sum payment of $454,034 from Apple, Inc., as a result of a favorable court decision relating to a patent infringement case. The court decision identified the following as the basis of the award: $302,428 for past royalties, $41,271 in damages for willful infringement, $108,221 for interest, and $2,114 in reimbursement for court costs and attorney’s fees (see Note 7 - Litigation). Elements of the payment were recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations as follows:

Classification in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Revenue (royalties)	$	302,428
Operating expenses: selling, general and administrative (reimbursed litigation costs)		2,114
Other income: gain (willful infringement)		41,271
Other income: interest income (pre and post judgment interest)		108,221
Total cash received	$	454,034

Contingent Gains

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450-30-25, Contingent Gains, prohibits recognition of contingent gains until realized. Accordingly, we do not record contingent gains ahead of such realization. Management generally considers any such gains as realized only upon the collection of cash.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily maintained at two major financial institutions in the United States. A portion of those balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we had funds which were uninsured. We do not believe that we are subject to any unusual financial risk beyond the normal risk associated with commercial banking relationships with major financial institutions. We have not experienced any losses on our deposits of cash and cash equivalents.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

On an annual basis, we identify and record impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset might not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the anticipated future net undiscounted cash flows to the related assets’ carrying value. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the projected discounted future net cash flows arising from the asset.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price that would result from an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). Level 2 measurements utilize either directly or indirectly observable inputs in markets other than quoted prices in active markets.

Our financial instruments are stated at amounts that equal, or approximate, fair value. When we estimate fair value, we utilize market data or assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument, including assumptions about risk and inputs to the valuation technique. We use valuation techniques, primarily the income and market approach, which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs for recurring fair value measurements.

Mutual Funds: Valued at the quoted net asset value of shares held.

U.S. agency securities: Fair value measured at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

The following tables show the adjusted cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of our securities by significant investment category as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

	March 31, 2020
	Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Investments Available for Sale
Cash	$	433,680	$	—	$	—	$	433,680	$	433,680	$	—
Level 1:
Mutual funds		1,532		—		—		1,532		1,532		—
U.S. agency securities		1,931		5		—		1,936		600		1,336
		3,463		5		—		3,468		2,132		1,336
Total	$	437,143	$	5	$	—	$	437,148	$	435,812	$	1,336

	December 31, 2019
	Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Investments Available for Sale


Cash	$	2,076	$	—	$	—	$	2,076	$	2,076	$	—
Level 1:
Mutual funds		613		—		—		613		613		—
U.S. agency securities		2,837		3		—		2,840		446		2,394
		3,450		3		—		3,453		1,059		2,394
Total	$	5,526	$	3	$	—	$	5,529	$	3,135	$	2,394

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12 Income Taxes (Topic 740). The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 - Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The FASB is issuing the amendments in this ASU as part of its disclosure framework project. On March 4, 2014, the Board issued a proposed FASB Concepts Statement, Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting—Chapter 8: Notes to Financial Statements, which the Board finalized on August 28, 2018. The disclosure framework project’s objective and primary focus are to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements by facilitating clear communication of the information required by GAAP that is most important to users of each entity’s financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 with no material impact on our financial position and statement of operations.

In June 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in this Update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 and there was no material impact on our financial position or statement of operations.

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 3 — Income Taxes For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized income tax expense of $32,759 on income before taxes of $332,704, which is an effective tax rate of 9.9%. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, income tax expense was $2 on a loss before taxes of $5,606 and an effective tax rate of 0.04%. The effective tax rate for the 2020 period was favorably impacted by the reversal of valuation allowance reserves totaling $38,112 which were established in prior years on our deferred tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we had NOLs which generated deferred tax assets for NOL carryforwards. During 2019, we provided valuation allowances against the net deferred tax assets including the deferred tax assets for NOL carryforwards. As of March 31, 2020, we had deferred tax assets of $8,722. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets when, in our judgment, based upon currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the need for a valuation allowance is based on an on-going evaluation of current information including, among other things, historical operating results, estimates of future earnings in different taxing jurisdictions and the expected timing of the reversals of temporary differences. We believe the determination to record, or reduce, a valuation allowance associated with a deferred income tax asset is a significant accounting estimate because it is based, among other things, on an estimate of future taxable income in the United States and certain other jurisdictions, which is susceptible to change and may or may not occur, and because the impact of adjusting a valuation allowance may be material. In determining when to release the valuation allowance established against our net deferred income tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative. As a result of the significant taxable income recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2020, we determined that it was more likely than not that we will recover our deferred tax assets and accordingly the valuation allowances were reversed during the period. During 2019, consistent with our policy, and because of our history of operating losses, we did not recognize the benefit of our deferred tax assets, including NOL carryforwards, that may have been used to offset future taxable income. We continually assess our ability to generate sufficient taxable income during future periods in which our deferred tax assets may be realized. Internal Revenue Code Section 382 places a limitation (the ‘‘Section 382 Limitation’’) on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be used to offset taxable income after a change in control (generally greater than 50% change in ownership) of a loss corporation. California, the state in which our headquarters was once located, has similar rules. Generally, after a control change, a loss corporation cannot deduct net operating loss carryforward generated in years prior to the deemed change of control under IRC Section 382 in excess of the Section 382 Limitation. Because we have concluded that the Company has not experienced a change in control under section 382, all NOL carryforwards were utilized to offset taxable income generated in the period. Our tax years for 2005 and forward are subject to examination by the U.S. tax authority and various state tax authorities. These years are open due to NOLs and tax credits to be utilized from such years. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. As of March 31, 2020, we had accrued immaterial amounts of interest and penalties related to the uncertain tax positions.

Commitments and Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Related Party Transactions	Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Commitments and Related Party Transactions	Note 4 — Commitments and Related Party Transactions We lease our offices under an operating lease with a third party which expires in October 2021 (see Note 8 - Leases ). We entered into a service agreement for the use of an aircraft from K2 Investment Fund LLC (“LLC”) for business travel for employees of the Company. We incurred approximately $76 and $559 in fees and reimbursements to the LLC during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We pay for the Company’s usage of the aircraft and have no rights to purchase. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Administrative Officer are the managing partners of the LLC and control the equity interests of the LLC. We entered into a 12-month non-exclusive agreement with the LLC for use of the plane at a rate of $8 per flight hour, with no minimum usage requirement. The agreement contains other terms and conditions and can be cancelled by either us or the LLC with 30 days’ notice. The agreement renews on an annual basis unless terminated by either party. Neither party has exercised their termination rights.

Stock Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
Stock Based Compensation	Mar. 31, 2020
Stock Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock Based Compensation	Note 5 — Stock Based Compensation We have a stock incentive plan for employees and others called the “VirnetX Holding Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan”, or the Plan, which has been approved by our stockholders. The Plan generally provides for the granting of up to 16,624,469 shares of our common stock, including stock options and stock purchase rights (“RSUs”), and will expire in 2024. As of March 31, 2020, 1,271,039 shares remained available for grant under the Plan. Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expense was $348 and $374, and in research and development expense was $430 and $411, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we granted options for a total of 240,000 shares with a weighted average grant date fair value of $4.30 per option. We estimated the fair value of the options on the date of grant utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions: (i) 0 percent dividend yield, (ii) 93.4 percent volatility, (iii) 0.8 percent risk free rate and (iv) 6.25years expected term. There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2019, and no RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020 or 2019. As of March 31, 2020, the unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options and RSUs was $4,088 and $1,581, respectively, which will be amortized over an estimated weighted average period of approximately 2.24 and 2.08 years, respectively.

Equity	3 Months Ended
Equity	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Note 6 — Equity Common Stock On July 30, 2018 we filed a $100,000 universal shelf registration statement on SEC Form S-3 which was declared effective by the SEC on August 16, 2018. We also entered an at-the-market equity offering sales agreement (“ATM”) with Cowen & Company, LLC on August 31, 2018, under which we can offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $50,000. We use the ATM proceeds for GABRIEL product development, marketing and general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, other corporate expenses and acquisitions of complementary products, technologies or businesses. As of March 31, 2020, common stock with an aggregate value of up to $21,964 remained available for offer and sale under the ATM agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we sold 1,049,382 shares under the ATM. The average sales price per common share was $4.41 and the aggregate proceeds from the sales totaled $4,627 during the period. Sales commissions, fees and other costs associated with the ATM totaled $139. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we sold 560,338 shares under the ATM. The average sales price per common share was $5.24 and the aggregate proceeds from the sales totaled $2,936 during the period. Sales commissions, fees and other costs associated with the ATM totaled $88. Warrants In 2015 we issued warrants for the purchase of 25,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7 per share, which expired in April 2020.

Litigation	3 Months Ended
Litigation	Mar. 31, 2020
Litigation [Abstract]
Litigation	Note 7 — Litigation We have several intellectual property infringement lawsuits pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (“USDC”), and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“USCAFC”). VirnetX Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc. et al. (Case 6:10-CV-00417-LED) (“Apple I”) On August 11, 2010, we filed a complaint against Aastra USA. Inc. (“Aastra”), Apple Inc. (“Apple”), Cisco Systems, Inc. (“Cisco”), and NEC Corporation (“NEC”) the USDC in which we alleged that these parties infringe on certain of our patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,502,135, 7,418,504, 7,921,211 and 7,490,151). We sought damages and injunctive relief. The cases against each defendant were separated by the judge. Aastra and NEC agreed to sign license agreements with us, and we dropped all accusations of infringement against them. A jury in USDC decided that our patents were not invalid and rendered a verdict of non-infringement by Cisco on March 4, 2013. Our motion for a new Cisco trial was denied and the case against Cisco was closed. On November 6, 2012, a jury in the USDC awarded us over $368,000 for Apple’s infringement of four of our patents, plus daily interest up to the final judgment. Apple filed an appeal of the judgment to the USCAFC. On September 16, 2014, USCAFC affirmed the USDC jury’s finding that all four of our patents at issue are valid and confirmed the USDC jury’s finding of infringement of VPN on Demand under many of the asserted claims of our ‘135 and ‘151 patents, and the USDC’s decision to allow evidence about our license and royalty rates regarding the determination of damages. However, the USCAFC vacated the USDC jury’s damages award and some of the USDC’s claim construction with respect to parts of our ‘504 and ‘211 patents and remanded the damages award and determination of infringement with respect to FaceTime back to the USDC for further proceedings. On September 30, 2016, pursuant to the 2014 remand from the USCAFC, a jury in the USDC awarded us $302,400 for Apple’s infringement of four of our patents. On September 29, 2017, the USDC entered its final judgment, denied all of Apple’s post-trial motions, granted all our post-trial motions, including our motion for willful infringement and enhanced the royalty rate during the willfulness period from $1.20 to $1.80 per device, and awarded us costs, certain attorneys’ fees, and prejudgment interest. The total amount in the final judgment was $439,700, including $302,400 (jury verdict), $41,300 (enhanced damages) and $96,000 (costs, fees and interest). On October 27, 2017 Apple appealed the final judgment entered on September 29, 2017 to the USCAFC. Oral arguments in this case were held on January 8, 2019. On January 15, 2019 the Court issued a Rule 36 order affirming the district court’s final judgment. Apple filed a petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en-banc in this matter on February 21, 2019. On October 1, 2019, USCAFC issued an order denying Apple’s petition. Apple filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, which was denied on February 24, 2020. Prior to the Supreme Court decision denying Apple’s petition for a writ of certiorari, on February 20, 2020, Apple filed a Rule 60(b) motion for relief from judgment with the USDC, seeking relief from the district court’s September 29, 2017 final judgment. VirnetX filed a responsive brief in opposition on March 5, 2020. On March 13, 2020, the Company received payment of $454,034 from Apple, representing the previously announced final judgment with interest in this case. Apple has indicated that it will seek restitution of the payment if relief sought in its Rule 60(b) motion is awarded. On April 16, 2020, the USDC ordered Apple to file a supplemental brief with respect to its Rule 60(b) motion within 7 days. The USDC has not ruled in this matter. VirnetX Inc. v. Apple, Inc. (Case 6:12-CV-00855-LED) (“Apple II”) This case began on November 6, 2012, when we had filed a complaint against Apple in USDC in which we alleged that Apple infringed on certain of our patents, (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,502,135, 7,418,504, 7,921,211 and 7,490,151). We sought damages and injunctive relief. The accused products include the iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5th Generation, iPad 4^th Generation, iPad mini, and the latest Macintosh computers; these products were not included in the Apple I case because they were released after the Apple I case was initiated. Post-trial motions hearing was held on July 18, 2018. On August 31, 2018, the USDC entered a Final Judgment and issued its Memorandum Opinion and Order regarding post-trial motions, affirming the jury’s verdict of $502,600 and granting VirnetX motions for supplemental damages, a sunset royalty and the royalty rate of $1.20 per infringing iPhone, iPad and Mac products, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and costs. On September 20, 2018, pursuant to a Court’s order, attorneys from VirnetX and Apple conferred and agreed, without dispute, to add an amount totaling $93,300 for Bill of Costs and Prejudgment Interest to the $502,600 jury verdict. The total amount in the final judgment in the Apple II case is now $595,900. Apple has filed a notice of appeal with the USCAFC in the Apple II case. On October 9, 2018, USCAFC docketed the appeal as Case No. 19-1050 - VirnetX Inc. v. Apple Inc . On January 24, 2019 Apple filed its opening brief. We filed our response brief on March 1, 2019. Apple filed its reply brief on April 5, 2019. The oral arguments were heard on October 4, 2019. On November 22, 2019, the USCAFC issued an opinion affirming the district court’s findings that Apple is precluded from making certain invalidity arguments and that Apple infringed the ’135 and ’151 patents; reversing the district court’s finding that Apple infringed the ’504 and ’211 patents; and remanding the case for proceedings on damages. Apple sought panel and en banc rehearing, which the USCAFC denied on February 10, 2020. On February 22, 2020, the USDC issued a scheduling order for the parties to brief the court about the need for a new trial for recalculating the damages. We filed our motion for entry of judgment on February 28, 2020. The arguments on this matter were heard on April 14, 2020. In its order, unsealed on May 1, 2020, the district court denied VirnetX’s motion for entry of a new judgment based on the prior juiy verdict and ordered a new jury trial on damages. The jury selection and trial has been scheduled on August 17, 2020. VirnetX Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc. (USCAFC Case 19-1671) On March 18, 2018, we filed with the USCAFC an appeal of the invalidity findings by the PTAB in inter-partes reexamination no. 95/001,679 involving our U.S. Patent No. 6,502,135. We filed a motion to remand on August 23, 2019, which the USCAFC denied on October 1, 2019, directing the parties to address the issues in the merits briefs. On November 7, 2019, we filed another motion to vacate and remand in light of Arthrex. The USPTO intervened and opposed the remand. The USCAFC granted our motion on January 24, 2020. On March 9, 2020, Cisco and the USPTO both filed petitions for panel and en banc rehearing, which remain pending. McKool Smith P.C. v. VirnetX, Inc., AAA Case No. 01-20-0003-7975 On March 23, 2020, the law firm of McKool Smith, P.C. (“McKool”) filed a Demand for Arbitration against VirnetX, Inc. with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). In its demand, McKool claims that a retention agreement it entered into in 2010 with VirnetX entitles it to a contingency fee arising from the recent 2020 payment made by Apple. McKool claims it is owed $36.3 million (or 8% of the payment). We have filed a general response with AAA denying McKool’s claim and intend to vigorously contest the matter. One or more potential intellectual property infringement claims may also be available to us against certain other companies who have the resources to defend against any such claims. Although we believe these potential claims are likely valid, commencing a lawsuit can be expensive and time-consuming, and there is no assurance that we could prevail on such potential claims if we made them. In addition, bringing a lawsuit may lead to potential counterclaims which may distract our management and our other resources, including capital resources, from efforts to successfully commercialize our products. Currently, we are not a party to any other pending legal proceedings and are not aware of any proceeding threatened or contemplated against us.

Leases	3 Months Ended
Leases	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Note 8 — Leases We lease office space under an operating lease which expires in October 2021. We also entered into an operating lease for a facility used for corporate promotional and marketing purposes which was prepaid in full in a prior year and expires in 2024. At January 1, 2019, we recorded an ROU asset in other assets and a lease liability in other liabilities of $45 for the office lease; at March 31, 2020, the ROU asset and lease liability totaled $84. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded lease expense of $13. Adoption of the ASU had no impact on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Note 9 — Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per are share based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. Potential common shares outstanding principally include stock options, RSUs and warrants, excluding any potentially dilutive shares convertible at a price higher then the closing price of our stock at the end of each reporting period.

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	299,945	$	(5,608	)

Denominator:
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding		70,365		67,596
Effect of dilutive securities		1,019		—
Weighted-average diluted shares		71,384		67,596

Basic earnings per share	$	4.26	$	(0.08	)
Diluted earnings per share	$	4.20	$	(0.08	)

Potentially dilutive securities representing 2,161,955 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020, because their effect would have been antidilutive. We incurred a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019; therefore, all 5,865,014 potentially dilutive securities representing shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarter, because their effect would have been antidilutive.

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 10 — Subsequent Events On April 2, 2020, we issued 50,000 options to an employee with a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.87 per option. On April 29, 2020 we issued 25,000 warrants with an exercise price per common share of $5.75. These warrants will expire on April 29, 2025. On May 8, 2020 the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a $1.00 per share special cash dividend on its common stock, payable on or about May 26, 2020, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 18, 2020.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

Use of Estimates

Reclassifications

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of VirnetX Holding Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Leases

Revenue Recognition

Certain contracts may require our customers to enter into a hosting arrangement with us and for these arrangements, revenue is recognized over time, generally over the life of the servicing contract.

Classification in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Revenue (royalties)	$	302,428
Operating expenses: selling, general and administrative (reimbursed litigation costs)		2,114
Other income: gain (willful infringement)		41,271
Other income: interest income (pre and post judgment interest)		108,221
Total cash received	$	454,034

Contingent Gains

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Mutual Funds: Valued at the quoted net asset value of shares held.

U.S. agency securities: Fair value measured at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

	March 31, 2020
	Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Investments Available for Sale
Cash	$	433,680	$	—	$	—	$	433,680	$	433,680	$	—
Level 1:
Mutual funds		1,532		—		—		1,532		1,532		—
U.S. agency securities		1,931		5		—		1,936		600		1,336
		3,463		5		—		3,468		2,132		1,336
Total	$	437,143	$	5	$	—	$	437,148	$	435,812	$	1,336

	December 31, 2019
	Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Investments Available for Sale


Cash	$	2,076	$	—	$	—	$	2,076	$	2,076	$	—
Level 1:
Mutual funds		613		—		—		613		613		—
U.S. agency securities		2,837		3		—		2,840		446		2,394
		3,450		3		—		3,453		1,059		2,394
Total	$	5,526	$	3	$	—	$	5,529	$	3,135	$	2,394

New Accounting Pronouncements

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Classification of Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

Elements of the payment were recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations as follows:

Classification in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Revenue (royalties)	$	302,428
Operating expenses: selling, general and administrative (reimbursed litigation costs)		2,114
Other income: gain (willful infringement)		41,271
Other income: interest income (pre and post judgment interest)		108,221
Total cash received	$	454,034

Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets

	March 31, 2020
	Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Investments Available for Sale
Cash	$	433,680	$	—	$	—	$	433,680	$	433,680	$	—
Level 1:
Mutual funds		1,532		—		—		1,532		1,532		—
U.S. agency securities		1,931		5		—		1,936		600		1,336
		3,463		5		—		3,468		2,132		1,336
Total	$	437,143	$	5	$	—	$	437,148	$	435,812	$	1,336

	December 31, 2019
	Adjusted Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Investments Available for Sale


Cash	$	2,076	$	—	$	—	$	2,076	$	2,076	$	—
Level 1:
Mutual funds		613		—		—		613		613		—
U.S. agency securities		2,837		3		—		2,840		446		2,394
		3,450		3		—		3,453		1,059		2,394
Total	$	5,526	$	3	$	—	$	5,529	$	3,135	$	2,394

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	299,945	$	(5,608	)

Denominator:
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding		70,365		67,596
Effect of dilutive securities		1,019		—
Weighted-average diluted shares		71,384		67,596

Basic earnings per share	$	4.26	$	(0.08	)
Diluted earnings per share	$	4.20	$	(0.08	)

Business Description and Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) Patent	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Business Description [Abstract]
Costs accrued in conjunction with proceeds from litigation \| $	$ 90,101	$ 0
Patents [Member]
Business Description [Abstract]
Number of patents and pending applications	194
Patents [Member] \| U.S. [Member]
Business Description [Abstract]
Number of patents and pending applications	70
Patents [Member] \| Foreign [Member]
Business Description [Abstract]
Number of patents and pending applications	124

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) Institution	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Lease term	10 years
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue (royalties)	$ 302,576	$ 8
Operating expense [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative (reimbursed litigation costs)	2,114
Other Income [Abstract]
Gain (willful infringement)	41,271	$ 0
Interest income (pre and post judgment interest)	108,221
Total cash received	$ 454,034
Concentration of Credit Risk and Others Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Number of financial institutions holding company's cash \| Institution	2
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Adjusted Cost	$ 435,812		$ 3,135
Adjusted Cost	3,463		3,450
Unrealized Gains	5		3
Unrealized Losses	0		0
Fair Value	3,468		3,453
Adjusted Cost	437,143		5,526
Fair Value	437,148		5,529
Cash [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Adjusted Cost	433,680		2,076
Fair Value	433,680		2,076
Cash and Cash Equivalents	433,680		2,076
Mutual Funds [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Adjusted Cost	1,532		613
Unrealized Gains	0		0
Unrealized Losses	0		0
Fair Value	1,532		613
U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Adjusted Cost	1,931		2,837
Unrealized Gains	5		3
Unrealized Losses	0		0
Fair Value	1,936		2,840
Royalties [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue (royalties)	302,428
Recurring [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value	435,812		3,135
Cash and Cash Equivalents	435,812		3,135
Investments Available for Sale	1,336		2,394
Recurring [Member] \| Cash [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value	433,680		2,076
Cash and Cash Equivalents	433,680		2,076
Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value	2,132		1,059
Cash and Cash Equivalents	2,132		1,059
Investments Available for Sale	1,336		2,394
Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Mutual Funds [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value	1,532		613
Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,532		613
Investments Available for Sale	0		0
Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Adjusted Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value of Financial Assets [Abstract]
Fair Value	600		446
Cash and Cash Equivalents	600		446
Investments Available for Sale	$ 1,336		$ 2,394

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 32,759	$ 2
Income (Loss) before taxes	$ 332,704	$ (5,606)
Effective tax rate	9.90%	0.04%
Reversal of valuation allowance reserves	$ (38,112)
Deferred tax assets	$ 8,722		$ 0

Commitments and Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Term of lease	10 years
Offices [Member]
Commitments and Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Operating lease expiration date	Oct. 31, 2021
K2 Investment Fund LLC [Member] \| Aircraft [Member]
Commitments and Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Rental fees incurred for use of aircraft	$ 76	$ 559
Term of lease	12 months
Rate of aircraft lease (in dollars per flight hour)	$ 8
Term of notice for cancellation of lease	30 days

Stock Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 778	$ 785
Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	348	374
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 430	$ 411
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Options granted (in shares)	240,000	0
Options granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 4.30
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected stock price volatility	93.40%
Risk-free interest rate	0.80%
Expected life term	6 years 3 months
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense expected to be recognized related to non-vested stock options	$ 4,088
Weighted average amortization period	2 years 2 months 26 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
RSUs granted (in shares)	0	0
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense expected to be recognized related to non-vested RSUs	$ 1,581
Weighted average amortization period	2 years 29 days
2013 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	16,624,469
Shares available for grant (in shares)	1,271,039

Equity, Common Stock (Details) - Common Stock [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Jul. 30, 2018
Common Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock sold (in shares)	1,049,382	560,338
Universal Shelf Registration Statement [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Common Stock [Abstract]
Securities offered for sale, aggregate value				$ 100,000
ATM Agreement [Member]
Common Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock sold (in shares)	1,049,382	560,338
Average sales price per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.41	$ 5.24
Aggregate proceeds from sales of common stock	$ 4,627	$ 2,936
Sales commissions, fees and other costs associated with issuance of common stock	139	$ 88
ATM Agreement [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Common Stock [Abstract]
Securities offered for sale, aggregate value	$ 21,964		$ 50,000

Equity, Warrants (Details) - Warrants [Member]	3 Months Ended
Equity, Warrants (Details) - Warrants [Member]	Mar. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Information about warrants outstanding [Abstract]
Number of warrants issued (in shares) \| shares	25,000
Exercise price per common share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 7
Expiration date	Apr. 30, 2020

Litigation (Details) $ in Thousands							3 Months Ended
Litigation (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 23, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 20, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / Device	Sep. 29, 2017 USD ($) $ / Device	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Patent	Nov. 06, 2012 USD ($) Patent	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Litigation [Abstract]
Total cash received							$ 454,034
VirnetX Inc. v. Apple, Inc. (Case 6:12-CV-00855-LED) ("Apple II") [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Amount of damages awarded in patent infringement case		$ 595,900	$ 502,600
Royalty rate per device used in calculating infringement damages \| $ / Device			1.20
Additional amount granted in agreed bill of costs, attorney fees, and prejudgment interest		$ 93,300
McKool Smith P.C. v. VirnetX, Inc., AAA (Case No. 01-20-0003-7975) [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Contingency fee sought by plaintiff	$ 36,300
Contingency fee as percentage of payment	8.00%
Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member] \| VirnetX Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc. et al. (Case 6:10-CV-00417-LED) ("Apple I") [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Amount of damages awarded in patent infringement case				$ 439,700	$ 302,400
Number of patents allegedly infringed upon by Apple, Inc. \| Patent					4	4
Enhanced damages				41,300
Costs, fees and interest				$ 96,000
Total cash received	$ 454,034
Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member] \| VirnetX Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc. et al. (Case 6:10-CV-00417-LED) ("Apple I") [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Amount of damages awarded in patent infringement case						$ 368,000
Royalty rate per device used in calculating infringement damages \| $ / Device				1.20
Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member] \| VirnetX Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc. et al. (Case 6:10-CV-00417-LED) ("Apple I") [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Royalty rate per device used in calculating infringement damages \| $ / Device				1.80

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease ROU assets	$ 84
Lease liability	84
Lease expense	$ 13
ASU Topic 842 [Member]
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease ROU assets		$ 45
Lease liability		$ 45

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 299,945	$ (5,608)
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	70,365,000	67,596,000
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	1,019,000	0
Weighted-average diluted shares (in shares)	71,384,000	67,596,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.26	$ (0.08)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.20	$ (0.08)
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	2,161,955	5,865,014

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116637232&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117326831&loc=d3e1337-109256

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117327953&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(21))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares				3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares	May 08, 2020	Apr. 29, 2020	Apr. 02, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Transactions [Abstract]
Options issued (in shares)				240,000	0
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)				$ 4.30
Warrants [Member]
Stock Transactions [Abstract]
Number of warrants issued (in shares)				25,000
Exercise price per common share (in dollars per share)				$ 7
Expiration date				Apr. 30, 2020
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividend [Abstract]
Dividend declared date	May 08, 2020
Special cash dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00
Dividend payable date	May 26, 2020
Dividend record date	May 18, 2020
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Stock Transactions [Abstract]
Options issued (in shares)			50,000
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)			$ 3.87
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Warrants [Member]
Stock Transactions [Abstract]
Number of warrants issued (in shares)		25,000
Exercise price per common share (in dollars per share)		$ 5.75
Expiration date		Apr. 29, 2025