8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 14, 2009

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ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 000-26068 (Commission File Number) 95-4405754 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

500 Newport Center Drive,

Newport Beach, California  92660

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(949) 480-8300

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed since Last Report)

__________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 7 - Regulation FD

Item 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure.

On December 15, 2009, Acacia Research Corporation issued a press release announcing the verdict of a patent infringement trial brought by its subsidiary, DNT LLC, against Cellco Partnership, et al.  A copy of that release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section.  The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1     Press Release dated December 15, 2009 of the Registrant.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
Date:  December 15, 2009	By:	/s/ Paul R. Ryan
		Name:  Paul R. Ryan
		Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

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EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Contacts:   Rob Stewart

Investor Relations

Tel (949) 480-8300

Fax (949) 480-8301

FOR RELEASE                                                                                                                     

December 15, 2009                                                                                                                                            

Acacia Research Subsidiary, DNT LLC,

Receives Jury Verdict in Patent Infringement Case

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – (BUSINESS WIRE) – December 15, 2009 – Acacia Research Corporation’s (Nasdaq: ACTG) subsidiary, DNT LLC, received a jury verdict on December 14, 2009, in its patent infringement trial with Cellco Partnership, et al., in the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Case No: 3:09CV21).  The jury has found that the patent-in-suit was not infringed and invalid.

ABOUT ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

Acacia Research’s subsidiaries develop, acquire, and license patented technologies.  Acacia Research’s subsidiaries control over 125 patent portfolios, covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries.

Information about Acacia Research is available at www.acaciatechnologies.comand www.acaciaresearch.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof.  Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions.  Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.