<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001712316-19-000012.txt : 20190909
<SEC-HEADER>0001712316-19-000012.hdr.sgml : 20190909
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190909172241
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001712316-19-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20190903
FILED AS OF DATE:		20190909
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190909

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Tobia Alfred Victor Jr.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001712316

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-37721
		FILM NUMBER:		191083790

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		767 3RD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

ISSUER:		

	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

	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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_156806414526952.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-09-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000934549</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACACIA RESEARCH CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ACTG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001712316</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Tobia Alfred Victor Jr.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4 PARK PLAZA, SUITE 550</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92614</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Investment Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>450000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>531940</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-09-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>43478</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>488462</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>242080</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Sidus Double Alpha Fund, Ltd.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>183303</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Sidus Investment Partners, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>245631</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Sidus Investment Management, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>528986</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Sidus Double Alpha Fund, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This award of restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) is made pursuant to the 2016 Acacia Research Corporation Stock Incentive Plan.  The RSUs vest with respect to all or a portion of the shares on September 3, 2022 if Acacia Research Corporation (the &quot;Company&quot;) achieves a compounded annual growth rate (&quot;CAGR&quot;) in the Company's common stock of between 8% (17.8% of the shares) and 16% (100% of the shares) during the period.  Each earned RSU converts into one share of common stock on the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">On September 3, 2019, the Reporting Person returned his shares of common stock to the issuer for cancellation, as provided under the terms of the Employment Agreement entered into between the Reporting Person and the Company dated as of September 3, 2019, given that the Reporting Person received such shares as a non-employee member of the Company's Board of Directors.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares of common stock owned directly by Sidus Double Alpha, Ltd. (&quot;Sidus Double Alpha Offshore&quot;). The Reporting Person.solely by virtue of his position as a managing member of Sidus Management, the investment manager of Sidus Double Alpha Offshore, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock directly held by Sidus Double Alpha Offshore for purposes of Section 16. The Reporting Person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Shares of common stock owned directly by Sidus Investment Partners, LP.(&quot;Sidus Partners'). The Reporting Person, solely by virtue of his position as a managing member of Sidus Management, the investment manager of Sidus Partners, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock directly held by Sidus Partners for purposes of Section 16. The Reporting Person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Shares of common stock held in an account for which Sidus Investment Management, LLC (&quot;Sidus Management&quot;) serves as a sub-advisor (the 'Managed Account&quot;). The Reporting Person, solely  by virtue of his position as a managing member of Sidus Management, the sub-advisor to the Managed Account may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock directly held in the Managed Account for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (&quot;Section 16&quot;). The Reporting Person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Shares of common stock owned directly by Sidus Double Alpha Fund, L.P. (&quot;Sidus Double Alpha&quot;). The Reporting Person, solely  by virtue of his position as a managing member of Sidus Management, the investmentmanager of Sidus Double Alpha, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock directly held by Sidus Double Alpha for purposes of Section 16. The Reporting Person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Jennifer Graff as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-09-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
