Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 148,909	$ 221,804
Short-term investments	171,216	89,475
Accounts receivable	16,781	9,843
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,455	3,441
Total current assets	345,361	324,563
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	607	339
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	303,489	313,529
Goodwill	30,149	30,149
Other assets	986	137
Total assets	680,592	668,717
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses / costs	15,592	9,485
Accrued patent acquisition related payments, current	6,508	0
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	19,986	12,508
Total current liabilities	42,086	21,993
Deferred income taxes	17,279	27,831
Other liabilities	2,323	415
Total liabilities	61,688	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; 49,883,234 and 49,160,844 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	50	49
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,129,408 shares as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	(26,731)	(26,731)
Additional paid-in capital	651,346	644,982
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss)	(658)	(1,166)
Accumulated deficit	(13,022)	(5,632)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity	610,985	611,502
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	7,919	6,976
Total stockholders' equity	618,904	618,478
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 680,592	$ 668,717