Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments And Contingencies

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Commitments And Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
Liberty leases business offices, has entered into satellite transponder lease agreements and uses certain equipment under lease arrangements. Rental expense under such arrangements amounted to $46 million, $38 million and $36 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 A summary of future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2011 follows (amounts in millions):

Years ending December 31:
 
2012
$
40

2013
$
35

2014
$
25

2015
$
22

2016
$
20

Thereafter
$
113


It is expected that in the normal course of business, leases that expire generally will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties; thus, it is anticipated that future lease commitments will not be less than the amount shown for 2011.
Litigation
Liberty has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Liberty may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.