Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 146,040	$ 126,685
Short-term investments	74,798	130,017
Accounts receivable	25,185	6,341
Deferred income tax	3,139	3,139
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,790	7,546
Total current assets	254,952	273,728
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	701	766
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	282,524	288,432
Goodwill	30,149	30,149
Other assets	350	318
Total assets	568,676	593,393
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	16,788	11,555
Accrued patent investment costs	6,000	4,000
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	20,312	10,447
Total current liabilities	43,100	26,002
Deferred income taxes	3,206	4,874
Other liabilities	319	319
Total liabilities	46,625	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; 50,039,138 and 49,385,057 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	50	49
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,729,408 shares as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	(34,640)	(34,640)
Additional paid-in capital	651,053	653,314
Accumulated comprehensive loss	(784)	(947)
Accumulated deficit	(99,436)	(62,066)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity	516,243	555,710
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	5,808	6,488
Total stockholders' equity	522,051	562,198
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 568,676	$ 593,393