<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000934549-16-000148.txt : 20161007
<SEC-HEADER>0000934549-16-000148.hdr.sgml : 20161007
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160810170354
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000934549-16-000148
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160810

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACACIA RESEARCH CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000934549
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PATENT OWNERS & LESSORS [6794]
		IRS NUMBER:				954405754
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		12TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9494808300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		12TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="seee6f4a801bc4f4aa5d05b0b631d923b"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">FOIA CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED PURSUANT TO RULE 83</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">August 10, 2016</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">VIA EDGAR CORRESPONDENCE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Division of Corporation Finance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">100 F Street, N.E.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Attention:  Craig D. Wilson, Sr. Asst. Chief Accountant</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:72px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Office of Information Technologies and Services</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Re:</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Acacia Research Corporation</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Filed March 2, 2015</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Filed March 15, 2016</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">File No. 000-26068</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Dear Mr. Wilson:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Set forth below are the responses of Acacia Research Corporation (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Company</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">,&#8221; &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">we</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">,&#8221; &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">our</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221; or &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">us</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) to comments received from the staff (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Staff</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Commission</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) made by letter dated June 22, 2016 (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Comment Letter</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;), concerning our Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014, filed March 2, 2015 (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">2014 Form 10-K</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;), and our Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015, filed March 15, 2016 (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">2015 Form 10-K</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;).  Our responses are preceded by a reproduction of the corresponding Staff comments as set forth in the Comment Letter, and each response contains a reference to the page number(s), as applicable, where the responsive information may be found in the applicable Form 10-K.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Because of the commercially sensitive nature of certain information contained herein, this submission is accompanied by a request for confidential treatment for selected portions of this letter.  We have filed a separate letter with the Office of Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">FOIA Office</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) in connection with the confidential treatment request, pursuant to Rule 83 of the Commission&#8217;s Rules on Information and Requests [17 C.F.R. &#167; 200.83].  For the Staff&#8217;s reference, we have enclosed a copy of our letter to the FOIA Office (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Request</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) with this copy of the correspondence marked to show the portions redacted from the version filed via EDGAR and for which the Company is requesting confidential treatment. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">In accordance with Rule 83, the Company requests confidential treatment of the marked portions (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential Information</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8221;) of this Letter.  Please promptly inform the undersigned of any request for disclosure of the Confidential Information made pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act or otherwise so that the undersigned may substantiate the foregoing request for confidential treatment in accordance with Rule 83. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">In accordance with Rule 83, this Letter has also been clearly marked with the legend &#8220;Confidential Treatment Requested by Acacia Research Corporation&#8221; and each page is marked for the record with the identifying numbers and code &#8220;ACTG-002&#8221; through &#8220;ACTG-009.&#8221;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Division of Corporation Finance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">August 10, 2016</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">ACTG-002</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential Treatment Requested by Acacia Research Corporation</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Pursuant to Rule 83, a copy of the Request (but not this Letter) also is being delivered to the Commission&#8217;s FOIA Office.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;text-decoration:underline;">General</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">1.   </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">We note that you estimated the fair value of your patent portfolios is less than the carrying value of $162 million as of December 31, 2015. Please tell us your basis for using a different patent portfolio fair value for the purpose of measuring the impairment for goodwill and patent portfolios. Refer to ASC 350-30-35-27 and ASC 350-20-35-3.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Company Response:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">We respectfully submit that we used the same estimated fair value for the purposes of measuring impairment of our patents and goodwill as of December 31, 2015. In our response to the Staff&#8217;s April 22, 2016 comment letter, the total fair value of the patent portfolio stated in the table we provided was limited, up to the amount that the implied fair value of goodwill was equal to zero, indicating that the full amount of existing goodwill, totaling $30.1 million, was impaired and therefore written-off as of December 31, 2015.  We believe that the table would have been clearer if we had included the total estimated fair value of the patent portfolio at December 31, 2015 of $[***], which exceeded the $162 million remaining carrying value of the patent portfolio, subsequent to the impairment charges totaling $74.7 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015.  From a presentation standpoint, the $100.6 million fair value in the table included in our response to the Staff&#8217;s April 22, 2016 comment letter represented only a portion of the estimated fair value of the patent portfolio that resulted in no residual value to allocate to goodwill.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">We estimated the fair value of the Company&#8217;s identifiable assets used in the goodwill impairment estimation calculation at December 31, 2015 to be approximately $[***] as follows (in thousands):</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:56.25%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:80%;"></td><td style="width:20%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Total Current Assets </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">$183,877 </font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Fixed and Other Assets </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">1,382</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Patent Portfolios </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Estimated Fair Value of Identifiable Assets </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">$[***] </font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[TEXT FROM PAGE ACTG-002 OF THIS LETTER HAS BEEN OMITTED AND PROVIDED SEPARATELY TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER RULE 83.]</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Division of Corporation Finance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">August 10, 2016</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">ACTG-003</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential Treatment Requested by Acacia Research Corporation</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">We used book value as an approximation of fair value for current assets, certain intangible assets, fixed assets and total liabilities. Based upon our analysis, we then estimated goodwill impairment as follows:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:62.3046875%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:82%;"></td><td style="width:18%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Estimated Fair Value of Total Invested Capital</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;$[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Add: Estimated Fair Value of Liabilities</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Estimated Fair Value of Total Assets</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;[***] </font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Less: Estimated Fair Value of Identifiable Assets</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Implied Fair Value of Goodwill</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Carrying Value of Goodwill</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:3px double #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;30,149 </font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Indicated Impairment of Goodwill</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;$30,149 </font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">Consideration of Negative Implied Fair Value of Goodwill:</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#32;&#32;As described in our letter dated May 25, 2016, we first performed an impairment analysis for our patent portfolios pursuant to ASC 360 as of December 31, 2015, with the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, resulting in $74.7 million of patent portfolio impairment charges.  We then performed an impairment analysis of goodwill pursuant to ASC 350 as discussed above, and noted a negative implied fair value in excess of the carrying value. Since the negative implied fair value of goodwill was a larger balance than the carrying value of goodwill, we reassessed the impairment analysis performed on the patent portfolio.  Based on that reassessment, we determined that there was no indication of any further impairment of the patent portfolio assets, as the estimated fair value of the patent portfolios exceeded the remaining book value of the patent portfolios (subsequent to recognition of the $74.7 million of impairment charges) as of December 31, 2015.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">Second Quarter 2016 Patent Impairment Charges</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">.  In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded $40.2 million of patent portfolio impairment charges, comprised of the following:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:50.9765625%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:50%;"></td><td style="width:7%;"></td><td style="width:43%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Portfolio:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">&#160;Amount </font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Adaptix Portfolio</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">$[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[***] Portfolio</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Other </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[***]</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">$    40,165,000</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Pursuant to the guidance set forth in ASC 360, factors which could trigger an impairment review include, without limitation, significant underperformance of patent portfolios relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of assets or strategy, and significant adverse changes in portfolio litigation related legal factors, including anticipated or actual adverse regulatory actions or assessments.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[TEXT FROM PAGE ACTG-003 OF THIS LETTER HAS BEEN OMITTED AND PROVIDED SEPARATELY TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER RULE 83.]</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:justify;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Division of Corporation Finance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">August 10, 2016</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">ACTG-004</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential Treatment Requested by Acacia Research Corporation</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Our management considers a number of factors in connection with its patent impairment analysis, including, without limitation, consideration of current information about the patent portfolio such as status and stage of litigation (via internal analysis and discussions with external patent counsel), periodic results of the litigation process, strength of the patent portfolio, technology coverage and other pertinent information that could impact future net cash flows.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[***]. The [***] portfolio write-down was due to completion of the licensing program in the second quarter of 2016, with no remaining future licenses or settlements expected.  The &#8220;Other&#8221; portfolio was written-off due to management&#8217;s decision to no longer allocate resources to the applicable portfolio licensing program.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">As a result of our second quarter 2016 impairment analysis, as of June 30, 2016 the fair values of the portfolios listed above were estimated to be zero, resulting in our write-off of the remaining carrying values of the portfolios in the second quarter of 2016.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">We have included additional disclosures in the footnotes to the financial statements and MD&amp;A included in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2016, concerning the second quarter 2016 impairment charges, consistent with the following:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">Patents Footnote and MD&amp;A Language</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#8220;Acacia recorded impairment of patent-related intangible asset charges of $40,165,000 for the six months ended June&#160;30, 2016, primarily comprised of the write-off of the remaining carrying value of our Adaptix portfolio. The impairment charges were realized in the period due to a reduction in expected estimated future net cash flows and certain patent portfolios that management determined it would no longer allocate future resources to in connection with the licensing and enforcement of such portfolios, due primarily to the overall determination that future resources would be allocated to other licensing and enforcement programs.  The impairment charges consisted of the excess of the asset&#8217;s carrying value over its estimated fair value.&#8221;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">We acknowledge that:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;text-align:left;"><font style="text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;padding-right:48px;">&#8226;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">we are responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing;</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">we may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">[TEXT FROM PAGE ACTG-004 OF THIS LETTER HAS BEEN OMITTED AND PROVIDED SEPARATELY TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER RULE 83.]</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Division of Corporation Finance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">August 10, 2016</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">ACTG-005</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;padding-left:6px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential Treatment Requested by Acacia Research Corporation</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Should you have any questions regarding the responses set forth herein, or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at (949) 480-8300, or Mark Skaist, the Company&#8217;s outside legal counsel, at (949) 725-4117.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Very truly yours,</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;text-decoration:underline;">/s/ Clayton J. Haynes</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Clayton J. Haynes</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:288px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer</font></div><div style="line-height:174%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">cc: </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Acacia Research Corporation</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Edward Treska, General Counsel</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Kirsten Hoover, Corporate Controller</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">Stradling Yocca Carlson &amp; Rauth, P.C.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Mark L. Skaist</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Michael L. Lawhead</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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