Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 133,403	$ 126,685
Short-term investments	95,590	130,017
Accounts receivable	13,540	6,341
Deferred income tax	3,139	3,139
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,617	7,546
Total current assets	253,289	273,728
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	782	766
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	290,197	288,432
Goodwill	30,149	30,149
Other assets	309	318
Total assets	574,726	593,393
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	12,295	11,555
Accrued patent investment costs	19,250	4,000
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	3,895	10,447
Total current liabilities	35,440	26,002
Deferred income taxes	3,747	4,874
Other liabilities	319	319
Total liabilities	39,506	31,195
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; 50,041,123 and 49,385,057 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	50	49
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,729,408 shares as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	(34,640)	(34,640)
Additional paid-in capital	650,934	653,314
Accumulated comprehensive loss	(976)	(947)
Accumulated deficit	(86,487)	(62,066)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity	528,881	555,710
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	6,339	6,488
Total stockholders' equity	535,220	562,198
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 574,726	$ 593,393