| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2413406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefit (Details) (https://www.acaciaresearch.com/role/IncomeTaxesGrossUnrecognizedTaxBenefitDetails) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000934549 (https://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | |
|---|---|---|
2012-01-01 - 2012-12-31 | 2011-12-31 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Unrecognized tax benefits | 2,127,000 | 85,000 |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions | 0 | |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions | 772,000 | |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Acquisition | 1,270,000 | |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions | 0 | |