Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 193,161	$ 221,804
Short-term investments	134,287	89,475
Accounts receivable	45,351	9,843
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,101	3,441
Total current assets	377,900	324,563
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	536	339
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	305,809	313,529
Goodwill	30,149	30,149
Other assets	138	137
Total assets	714,532	668,717
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses / costs	17,127	9,485
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	36,736	12,508
Total current liabilities	53,863	21,993
Deferred income taxes	27,831	27,831
Other liabilities	494	415
Total liabilities	82,188	50,239
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 49,211,829 and 49,160,844 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	49	49
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,129,408 shares as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012	(26,731)	(26,731)
Additional paid-in capital	650,966	644,982
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss)	(317)	(1,166)
Accumulated deficit	(519)	(5,632)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity	623,448	611,502
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	8,896	6,976
Total stockholders' equity	632,344	618,478
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 714,532	$ 668,717