Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 221,804	$ 314,733
Short-term investments	89,475	6,597
Accounts receivable	9,843	2,915
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,441	803
Total current assets	324,563	325,048
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	339	220
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	313,529	25,188
Goodwill	30,149	0
Investments - noncurrent	0	1,956
Other assets	137	465
Total assets	668,717	352,877
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses / costs	9,485	6,625
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	12,508	23,508
Total current liabilities	21,993	30,133
Deferred income taxes	27,831	0
Other liabilities	415	632
Total liabilities	50,239	30,765
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
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; 49,160,844 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 42,928,001 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011	49	43
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,129,408 and 0 shares as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(26,731)	0
Additional paid-in capital	644,982	386,821
Accumulated comprehensive loss	(1,166)	(1,830)
Accumulated deficit	(5,632)	(65,085)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders’ equity	611,502	319,949
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	6,976	2,163
Total stockholders’ equity	618,478	322,112
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 668,717	$ 352,877