Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 113,853	$ 36	$ 0	$ 197,026	$ 0	$ (86,191)	$ 2,982
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2010		36,029,068
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation	21,106					21,106
Sale of common stock, shares		5,750,000
Sale of common stock, value		6		175,223
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	0
Stock options exercised, shares		87,068
Stock options exercised, value	411	0		411
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation, net of forfeitures		1,061,865
Compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards	13,579	1		13,578
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	583			583
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	539						539
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary, net	1,539						1,539
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary	(2,897)						(2,897)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other				0
Unrealized gain on foreign currency translation	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments	(1,830)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	322,112	43	0	386,821	(1,830)	(65,085)	2,163
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2011		42,928,001
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation	59,453					59,453
Sale of common stock, value		6		218,955
Treasury stock, shares acquired	1,129,408	(1,129,408)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	(1,000)
Treasury stock, cost of shares acquired	(26,732)		(26,731)
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	26,732
Stock options exercised, shares		71,272
Stock options exercised, value	340			340
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation, net of forfeitures		1,168,530
Compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards	25,657	1		25,656
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	13,210			13,210
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(164)						(164)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary, net	5,793						5,793
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary	(816)						(816)
Unrealized gain on foreign currency translation	7
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments	657
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	618,478	49	(26,731)	644,982	(1,166)	(5,632)	6,976
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2012	49,160,844	49,160,844
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation	(56,434)
Sale of common stock, value	(18,633)	0		(18,633)
Treasury stock, shares acquired	600,000	(600,000)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	(1,000)	(666)
Treasury stock, cost of shares acquired	(7,910)		(7,909)
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	7,926			(16)
Stock options exercised, shares	115,000	115,346
Stock options exercised, value	486			486
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation, net of forfeitures		709,533
Compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards	27,894	1		27,893
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1,398)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,408)						(2,408)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary, net	1,920						1,920
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments	219				219
Unrealized gain on foreign currency translation	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments	26
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 562,198	$ 49	$ (34,640)	$ 653,314	$ (947)	$ (62,066)	$ 6,488
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2013	49,385,057	49,385,057