Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 101,548	$ 134,466
Restricted cash	10,718	0
Short-term investments	53,289	58,558
Accounts receivable	30,007	20,168
Deferred income taxes	1,161	1,161
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,057	4,355
Total current assets	201,780	218,708
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	421	500
Patents, net of accumulated amortization	274,659	286,636
Goodwill	30,149	30,149
Other assets	355	355
Total assets	507,364	536,348
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	12,705	14,860
Accrued patent investment costs	900	16,700
Royalties and contingent legal fees payable	19,129	14,351
Total current liabilities	32,734	45,911
Deferred income taxes	1,161	1,161
Other liabilities	250	228
Total liabilities	34,145	47,300
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; 51,049,566 and 50,065,382 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	51	50
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,729,408 shares as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	(34,640)	(34,640)
Additional paid-in capital	644,404	646,595
Accumulated comprehensive loss	(440)	(353)
Accumulated deficit	(141,225)	(128,095)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders' equity	468,150	483,557
Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries	5,069	5,491
Total stockholders' equity	473,219	489,048
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 507,364	$ 536,348