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Description of Business | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS [Abstract] |
Description of Business | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Description of Business. As used herein, “Acacia” and the “Company” refer to Acacia Research Corporation and/or its wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries. All intellectual property acquisition, development, licensing and enforcement activities are conducted solely by certain of Acacia’s wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries. Acacia’s operating subsidiaries acquire, develop, license and otherwise enforce patented technologies. Acacia’s operating subsidiaries generate revenues and related cash flows from the granting of intellectual property rights for the use of, or pertaining to, patented technologies that such operating subsidiaries own or control. Acacia’s operating subsidiaries assist patent owners with the prosecution and development of their patent portfolios, the protection of their patented technologies from unauthorized use, the generation of revenue from users of their patented technologies and, if necessary, the enforcement against unauthorized users of their patented technologies. Currently, on a consolidated basis, Acacia’s operating subsidiaries own or control the rights to over 250 patent portfolios, which include U.S. patents and certain foreign counterparts, covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries. In January 2012, a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Acacia acquired ADAPTIX, Inc. (“ADAPTIX”), a pioneer in the development of 4G technologies for wireless systems, for cash consideration of $160 million, as described at Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements. Acacia was incorporated on January 25, 1993 under the laws of the State of California. In December 1999, it changed its state of incorporation from California to Delaware.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the business description and basis of presentation concepts. Business description describes the nature and type of organization including but not limited to organizational structure as may be applicable to holding companies, parent and subsidiary relationships, business divisions, business units, business segments, affiliates and information about significant ownership of the reporting entity. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). + References No definition available. + Details
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