Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Common Stock [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 $ 562,198 $ 49 $ (34,640) $ 653,314 $ (947) $ (62,066) $ 6,488
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2013   49,385,057          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]              
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation (66,029)         (66,029)  
Payments of Dividends (25,039)     (25,039)      
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues (25,039)            
Stock options exercised, shares   44,506          
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised 206            
Stock options exercised, value 206     206      
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation, net of forfeitures   635,819          
Non-cash stock compensation 18,115 $ 1   18,114      
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries (633)           (633)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests 867            
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized (99)       (99)    
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 693       693    
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary (364)           (364)
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock 0            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 489,048 $ 50 (34,640) 646,595 (353) (128,095) 5,491
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2014   50,065,382          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]              
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation (160,036)         (160,036)  
Payments of Dividends (25,434)     (25,434)      
Stock options exercised, shares   135,000          
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised 938            
Stock options exercised, value 938     938      
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation, net of forfeitures   450,857          
Non-cash stock compensation 11,048 $ 1   11,047      
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries 2,558           2,558
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests 4,105            
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized (123)       (123)    
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 261       261    
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary (4,105)           (4,105)
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock 0            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 $ 314,155 $ 51 (34,640) 633,146 (215) (288,131) 3,944
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015 50,651,239 50,651,239          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]              
Net income (loss) attributable to Acacia Research Corporation $ (54,067)         (54,067)  
Payments of Dividends $ 0            
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares (13,529)            
Stock options exercised, shares 101,000 100,992          
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised $ 326            
Stock options exercised, value       326      
Stock issued during period, shares, share-based compensation, net of forfeitures   (262,660)          
Non-cash stock compensation 9,062 $ (1)   9,063      
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries (732)           (732)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests 1,358            
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized         40    
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments         99    
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary             (1,358)
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock (82)            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ 267,443 $ 50 $ (34,640) $ 642,453 $ (76) $ (342,198) $ 1,854
Common stock, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2016 50,476,042 50,476,042