Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 296,866	$ 314,733
Short-term investments	132,496	6,597
Accounts receivable	10,822	2,915
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,786	803
Total current assets	441,970	325,048
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	342	220
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	214,204	25,188
Goodwill	36,217	0
Investments - noncurrent	1,506	1,956
Other assets	462	465
Total assets	694,701	352,877
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses / costs	18,648	6,625
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	19,103	23,508
Total current liabilities	37,751	30,133
Deferred income taxes	32,592	0
Other liabilities	654	632
Total liabilities	70,997	30,765
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; 49,714,283 and 42,928,001 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	50	43
Additional paid-in capital	627,825	386,821
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss)	797	(1,830)
Accumulated deficit	(8,836)	(65,085)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity	619,836	319,949
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	3,868	2,163
Total stockholders' equity	623,704	322,112
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 694,701	$ 352,877