INCOME/LOSS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to Acacia Research Corporation	$ (73,266)	$ (164,465)
Dividend on Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock	(700)	(263)
Accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock	(1,151)	(852)
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0	29,068
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders - basic	$ (75,117)	$ (136,512)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic (in shares)	46,544,313	48,596,040
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted	46,544,313	48,596,040
Basic net loss per common share (in usd per share)	$ (1.61)	$ (2.81)
Earnings per share, diluted (in usd per share)	$ (1.61)	$ (2.81)
Anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	109,029,318	107,100,391
Equity-based incentive awards
Anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	4,029,318	2,100,391
Series A warrants
Anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Series B warrants
Anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000