EXHIBIT 23.3
                                                                    ------------

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Acacia Research Corporation of our reports dated May 2, 2002 relating to the
financial statements of the Acacia Technologies Group, a division of Acacia
Research Corporation, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also
consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Acacia Research
Corporation of our report dated May 2, 2002 relating to the financial statements
of the CombiMatrix Group (a development stage division of Acacia Research
Corporation), which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to
the references to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.


/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
------------------------------
Los Angeles, California
October 4, 2002