Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	$ 37,192	$ 15,520	$ 99,846	$ 115,491
Cost of revenues:
Inventor royalties	4,667	2,353	16,312	26,444
Contingent legal fees	7,663	2,547	16,267	21,603
Litigation and licensing expenses - patents	9,592	10,870	29,406	30,436
Amortization of patents	13,511	12,615	43,515	36,923
Marketing, general and administrative expenses (including non-cash stock compensation expense of $3,954 and $14,022 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $9,386 and $20,812 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively)	11,636	18,235	36,510	45,270
Research, consulting and other expenses - business development	1,208	730	3,203	2,480
Other expenses	1,548	3,506	1,548	3,506
Total operating costs and expenses	49,825	50,856	146,761	166,662
Operating loss	(12,633)	(35,336)	(46,915)	(51,171)
Interest income	293	554	1,218	1,393
Net realized gain (loss) on investments	(350)	(274)	(1,362)	577
Total other income (expense)	(57)	280	(144)	1,970
Loss before (provision for) benefit from income taxes	(12,690)	(35,056)	(47,059)	(49,201)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(145)	19,570	(3,462)	25,348
Net loss including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	(12,835)	(15,486)	(50,521)	(23,853)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	420	(225)	736	752
Net loss attributable to Acacia Research Corporation	(12,415)	(15,711)	(49,785)	(23,101)
Net loss available to common stockholders, basic	(12,575)	(15,904)	(50,356)	(23,458)
Net loss available to common stockholders, diluted	$ (12,575)	$ (15,904)	$ (50,356)	$ (23,458)
Basic loss per common share	$ (0.26)	$ (0.33)	$ (1.04)	$ (0.49)
Diluted loss per common share	$ (0.26)	$ (0.33)	$ (1.04)	$ (0.49)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic	48,806,334	48,330,149	48,561,428	48,068,038
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted	48,806,334	48,330,149	48,561,428	48,068,038
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.375	$ 0.250