Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 126,685	$ 221,804
Short-term investments	130,017	89,475
Accounts receivable	6,341	9,843
Deferred income tax	3,139	1,014
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,546	2,427
Total current assets	273,728	324,563
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	766	339
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	288,432	313,529
Goodwill	30,149	30,149
Other assets	318	137
Total assets	593,393	668,717
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,555	9,235
Accrued patent acquisition costs	4,000	250
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	10,447	12,508
Total current liabilities	26,002	21,993
Deferred income taxes	4,874	27,831
Other liabilities	319	415
Total liabilities	31,195	50,239
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
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; 49,385,057 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 49,160,844 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012	49	49
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,729,408 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 1,129,408 shares as of December 31, 2012	(34,640)	(26,731)
Additional paid-in capital	653,314	644,982
Accumulated comprehensive loss	(947)	(1,166)
Accumulated deficit	(62,066)	(5,632)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders’ equity	555,710	611,502
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	6,488	6,976
Total stockholders’ equity	562,198	618,478
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 593,393	$ 668,717