<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001683168-21-005912.txt : 20211122
<SEC-HEADER>0001683168-21-005912.hdr.sgml : 20211122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20211122183811
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001683168-21-005912
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20211112
FILED AS OF DATE:		20211122
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20211122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Golby Lawrence Wesley
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001895090

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-37721
		FILM NUMBER:		211434091

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		767 THIRD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 602
		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:		767 3RD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 602
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		949-480-8300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		767 3RD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 602
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>ownership.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-11-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001895090</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Golby Lawrence Wesley</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ACACIA RESEARCH, CORP.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 PARK PLAZA, SUITE 550</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92614</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Director of Research</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>80000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>ACTG Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6700</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By: Daughters</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.84</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2031-08-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Acacia Research Corporation Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>112500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This award of restricted stock awards (&quot;RSAs&quot;) is made pursuant to the 2013 Acacia Research Corporation Stock Incentive Plan. The RSAs vest annually in equal installments over three years starting from August 1, 2020 (the &quot;Grant Date&quot;), such that the RSAs shall be fully vested on the date which is three years from the Grant Date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This award of restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) is made pursuant to the 2016 Acacia Research Corporation Stock Incentive Plan. The RSUs will vest annually in equal installments on the date of each of the Company's 2022, 2023 and 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, respectively.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares are held in two IRA accounts in the reporting person's name.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These shares are held in trusts for the benefit of the minor daughters of the reporting person and for which the reporting person is an investment advisor.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">One third of the option shares will vest and be exercisable on the date of each of the Company's 2022, 2023 and 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, respectively.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jennifer Graff, Attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-11-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
