10-Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
________________________________________

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     
 
Commission File Number: 0-26068
________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________
 
DELAWARE
 
95-4405754
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
520 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)
 
(949) 480-8300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     x  Yes    o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     x  Yes    o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer  o
 
Accelerated filer  x
 
Non-accelerated filer  o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company  o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  o    No  x
 
As of November 5, 2015, 50,736,407 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, were issued and outstanding.




ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
Table Of Contents
 
 
 
 
Part I.
Financial Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part II.
Other Information
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signatures
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Index
 


i


PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share information)
(Unaudited)

 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
157,775

 
$
134,466

Restricted cash
10,721

 
—

Short-term investments
—

 
58,558

Accounts receivable
12,757

 
20,168

Deferred income taxes
1,161

 
1,161

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4,926

 
4,355

Total current assets
187,340

 
218,708

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
319

 
500

Patents, net of accumulated amortization
249,486

 
286,636

Goodwill
30,149

 
30,149

Other assets
353

 
355

 
$
467,647

 
$
536,348

 
 

 
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
17,477

 
$
14,860

Accrued patent investment costs
—

 
16,700

Royalties and contingent legal fees payable
9,243

 
14,351

Total current liabilities
26,720

 
45,911

Deferred income taxes
1,161

 
1,161

Other liabilities
291

 
228

Total liabilities
28,172

 
47,300

Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)


 


Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
—

 
—

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 50,750,245 and 50,065,382 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
51

 
50

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,729,408 shares as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
(34,640
)
 
(34,640
)
Additional paid-in capital
637,029

 
646,595

Accumulated comprehensive loss
(233
)
 
(353
)
Accumulated deficit
(172,221
)
 
(128,095
)
Total Acacia Research Corporation stockholders’ equity
429,986

 
483,557

Noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries
9,489

 
5,491

Total stockholders’ equity
439,475

 
489,048

 
$
467,647

 
$
536,348





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


1


ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share information)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
12,994

 
$
37,192

 
$
87,540

 
$
99,846

Operating costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of revenues:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Inventor royalties
116

 
4,667

 
10,706

 
16,312

Contingent legal fees
1,972

 
7,663

 
12,268

 
16,267

Litigation and licensing expenses - patents
10,345

 
9,592

 
28,032

 
29,406

Amortization of patents
13,688

 
13,511

 
39,954

 
43,515

General and administrative expenses (including non-cash stock compensation expense of $2,164 and $8,588 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $3,954 and $14,022 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively)
9,442

 
11,636

 
29,604

 
36,510

Research, consulting and other expenses - business development
802

 
1,208

 
2,531

 
3,203

Other
3,465

 
1,548

 
3,891

 
1,548

Total operating costs and expenses
39,830

 
49,825

 
126,986

 
146,761

Operating loss
(26,836
)
 
(12,633
)
 
(39,446
)
 
(46,915
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total interest and other investment loss, net
(180
)
 
(57
)
 
(56
)
 
(144
)
Loss before provision for income taxes
(27,016
)
 
(12,690
)
 
(39,502
)
 
(47,059
)
Provision for income taxes
(337
)
 
(145
)
 
(626
)
 
(3,462
)
Loss including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries
(27,353
)
 
(12,835
)
 
(40,128
)
 
(50,521
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries
43

 
420

 
(3,998
)
 
736

Net loss attributable to Acacia Research Corporation
$
(27,310
)
 
$
(12,415
)
 
$
(44,126
)
 
$
(49,785
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted
$
(27,450
)
 
$
(12,575
)
 
$
(44,691
)
 
$
(50,356
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per common share
$
(0.55
)
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(0.90
)
 
$
(1.04
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic and diluted
49,630,369

 
48,806,334

 
49,423,548

 
48,561,428

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.125

 
$
0.125

 
$
0.375

 
$
0.375














The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2


ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries
$
(27,353
)
 
$
(12,835
)
 
$
(40,128
)
 
$
(50,521
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized loss on short-term investments, net of tax of $0
(94
)
 
(347
)
 
(356
)
 
(1,196
)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation, net of tax of $0
—

 
—

 
(141
)
 
—

Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss
274

 
350

 
617

 
1,362

Total other comprehensive loss
(27,173
)
 
(12,832
)
 
(40,008
)
 
(50,355
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
43

 
420

 
(3,998
)
 
736

Comprehensive loss attributable to Acacia Research Corporation
$
(27,130
)
 
$
(12,412
)
 
$
(44,006
)
 
$
(49,619
)





































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3


ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries
$
(40,128
)
 
$
(50,521
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss including noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
40,129

 
43,753

Non-cash stock compensation
8,588

 
14,022

Other
(127
)
 
(24
)
 
 
 
 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 

Restricted cash
(10,721
)
 
—

Accounts receivable
7,411

 
(6,361
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(569
)
 
1,719

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
2,680

 
5,503

Royalties and contingent legal fees payable
(5,108
)
 
7,330

Deferred taxes, net
—

 
(1,531
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,155

 
13,890

 
 

 
 

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchases of available-for-sale investments
(23,296
)
 
(76,130
)
Maturities and sales of available-for-sale investments
82,115

 
133,878

Investments in patents/ patent rights
(19,504
)
 
(24,518
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(8
)
 
(106
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by investing activities
39,307

 
33,124

 
 

 
 

Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Dividends paid to stockholders
(19,091
)
 
(18,773
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary
—

 
(867
)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options
938

 
198

 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(18,153
)
 
(19,442
)
 
 

 
 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
23,309

 
27,572

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
134,466

 
126,685

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents, ending
$
157,775

 
$
154,257

 
 
 
 
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:
 
 
 
Patent acquisition costs included in accrued patent acquisition costs
$
—

 
$
2,000







The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)



1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of Business. As used herein, “Acacia” and the “Company” refer to Acacia Research Corporation and/or its wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries, and/or where applicable, its management.  All patent investment, prosecution, licensing and enforcement activities are conducted solely by certain of Acacia’s wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries.

Acacia’s operating subsidiaries invest in, license and enforce patented technologies. Acacia’s operating subsidiaries partner with inventors and patent owners, applying their legal and technology expertise to patent assets to unlock the financial value in their patented inventions. Acacia is an intermediary in the patent marketplace, bridging the gap between invention and application, facilitating efficiency and delivering monetary rewards to patent owners.

Acacia’s operating subsidiaries generate revenues and related cash flows from the granting of intellectual property rights for the use of patented technologies that its operating subsidiaries control or own. Acacia’s operating subsidiaries assist patent owners with the prosecution and development of their patent portfolios, the protection of their patented inventions from unauthorized use, the generation of licensing revenue from users of their patented technologies and, where necessary, with the enforcement against unauthorized users of their patented technologies through the filing of patent infringement litigation.

Acacia’s operating subsidiaries are principals in the licensing and enforcement effort, obtaining control of the rights in the patent portfolio, or control of the patent portfolio outright. Acacia’s operating subsidiaries own or control the rights to multiple patent portfolios, which include U.S. patents and certain foreign counterparts, covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries.

Basis of Presentation.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Acacia and its wholly and majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interests in Acacia’s majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries (“noncontrolling interests”) are separately presented as a component of stockholders’ equity in the consolidated statements of financial position for the applicable periods presented. Consolidated net loss is adjusted to include the net (income) loss attributed to noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statements of operations. Refer to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for total noncontrolling interests, net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and contributions from and distributions to noncontrolling interests, for the applicable periods presented.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Acacia is the general partner of the Acacia Intellectual Property Fund, L.P. (the “Acacia IP Fund”), which was formed in August 2010. The Acacia IP Fund is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods presented because Acacia’s wholly owned subsidiary, which is the majority owner and general partner, has the ability to control the operations and activities of the Acacia IP Fund.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed in accordance with quarterly reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014, as reported by Acacia in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  The year end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Acacia include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of Acacia’s consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2015, and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.



5
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition.  Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) all obligations have been substantially performed pursuant to the terms of the arrangement, (iii) amounts are fixed or determinable, and (iv) the collectibility of amounts is reasonably assured.

In general, revenue arrangements provide for the payment of contractually determined fees in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies owned or controlled by Acacia’s operating subsidiaries.  These rights typically include some combination of the following:  (i) the grant of a non-exclusive, retroactive and future license to manufacture and/or sell products covered by patented technologies owned or controlled by Acacia’s operating subsidiaries, (ii) a covenant-not-to-sue, (iii) the release of the licensee from certain claims, and (iv) the dismissal of any pending litigation.  The intellectual property rights granted may be perpetual in nature, extending until the expiration of the related patents, or can be granted for a defined, relatively short period of time, with the licensee possessing the right to renew the agreement at the end of each contractual term for an additional minimum upfront payment.  Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, Acacia’s operating subsidiaries have no further obligation with respect to the grant of the non-exclusive retroactive and future licenses, covenants-not-to-sue, releases, and other deliverables, including no express or implied obligation on Acacia’s operating subsidiaries’ part to maintain or upgrade the technology, or provide future support or services.  Generally, the agreements provide for the grant of the licenses, covenants-not-to-sue, releases, and other significant deliverables upon execution of the agreement, or upon receipt of the minimum upfront payment for term agreement renewals.  As such, the earnings process is complete and revenue is recognized upon the execution of the agreement, when collectibility is reasonably assured, or upon receipt of the minimum upfront fee for term agreement renewals, and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

For the periods presented herein, the majority of the revenue agreements executed by the Company provided for the payment of one-time, paid-up license fees in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technology rights owned by Acacia's operating subsidiaries. These rights were primarily granted on a perpetual basis, extending until the expiration of the underlying patents.
 
Cost of Revenues.  Cost of revenues include the costs and expenses incurred in connection with Acacia’s patent licensing and enforcement activities, including inventor royalties paid to original patent owners, contingent legal fees paid to external patent counsel, other patent-related legal expenses paid to external patent counsel, licensing and enforcement related research, consulting and other expenses paid to third-parties and the amortization of patent-related investment costs.  These costs are included under the caption “Cost of revenues” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  

Inventor Royalties and Contingent Legal Expenses. Inventor royalties are expensed in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the related revenues are recognized.  In certain instances, pursuant to the terms of the underlying inventor agreements, upfront advances paid to patent owners by Acacia’s operating subsidiaries are recoverable from future net revenues.  Patent costs that are recoverable from future net revenues are amortized over the estimated economic useful life of the related patents, or as the prepaid royalties are earned by the inventor, as appropriate, and the related expense is included in amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations.  Any unamortized upfront advances recovered from net revenues are expensed in the period recovered, and included in amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Contingent legal fees are expensed in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the related revenues are recognized. In instances where there are no recoveries from potential infringers, no contingent legal fees are paid; however, Acacia’s operating subsidiaries may be liable for certain out of pocket legal costs incurred pursuant to the underlying legal services agreement.  

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Acacia believes that, of the significant accounting policies described herein, the accounting policies associated with revenue recognition, stock-based compensation expense, impairment of marketable securities and intangible assets including goodwill, the determination of the economic useful life of amortizable intangible assets, income taxes and valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets and the application of the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, require its most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.


6
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Concentrations. Three licensees individually accounted for 54%, 15% and 13% of revenues recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2015, and two licensees accounted for 34% and 23% of revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Three licensees individually accounted for 43%, 30% and 12% of revenues recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2014, and three licensees accounted for 29%, 18% and 11% of revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, 5% and 34%, respectively, of revenues were attributable to licensees domiciled in foreign jurisdictions, based on the jurisdiction of the entity obligated to satisfy payment obligations pursuant to the applicable revenue arrangement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, 20% and 49%, respectively, of revenues were attributable to licensees domiciled in foreign jurisdictions. The Company does not have any material foreign operations.

Three licensees individually represented approximately 55%, 16% and 15% of accounts receivable at September 30, 2015. Three licensees individually represented approximately 30%, 17% and 15% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2014.

Stock-Based Compensation. The compensation cost for stock-based awards is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense, on a straight-line basis, over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period of the equity award) which is two to four years. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards is determined by the product of the number of shares or units granted and the grant date market price of the underlying common stock. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate.

Fair Value Measurements. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date, and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The three-level hierarchy of valuation techniques established to measure fair value is defined as follows:
 
●
Level 1 - Observable Inputs:  Quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;
 
●
Level 2 - Pricing Models with Significant Observable Inputs:  Other significant observable inputs, including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, credit risk, etc.; and
 
●
Level 3 - Unobservable Inputs:  Significant unobservable inputs, including the entity’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments.
 Whenever possible, the Company is required to use observable market inputs (Level 1 - quoted market prices) when measuring fair value.

Investments in Marketable Securities. Investments in securities with original maturities of greater than three months and less than one year and other investments representing amounts that are available for current operations are classified as short-term investments, unless there are indications that such investments may not be readily sold in the short term. The fair values of these investments approximate their carrying values. As of September 30, 2015, the balance of short term investments was zero. As of December 31, 2014, all of Acacia’s short term investments were classified as available-for-sale, which are reported at fair value on a recurring basis using observable inputs (Level 1), with related unrealized gains and losses in the value of such securities recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity until realized. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are recorded based on the specific identification method. Interest on all securities is included in interest income.

Short-term marketable securities for the periods presented were comprised of the following (in thousands):

 
December 31, 2014
Security Type
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. government fixed income securities
$
58,819

 
$
2

 
$
(263
)
 
$
58,558

Total short-term investments
$
58,819

 
$
2

 
$
(263
)
 
$
58,558




7
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Patents.  Patents include the cost of patents or patent rights (hereinafter, collectively “patents”) obtained from third-parties or obtained in connection with business combinations. Capitalized patent costs are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over their remaining economic useful lives, ranging from one to nine years. Certain patent application and prosecution costs incurred to secure additional patent claims, that based on management’s estimates are deemed to be recoverable, are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated economic useful life of the related patent portfolio.

Goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis (December 31) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Acacia considers its market capitalization and other valuation techniques and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test. Refer to Note 9 for additional information.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. Acacia reviews long-lived assets and intangible assets for potential impairment annually (quarterly for patents) and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available or not indicative of current fair value, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including a discounted value of estimated future cash flows.

Fair value is generally estimated using the “Income Approach,” focusing on the estimated future net income-producing capability of the patent portfolios over the estimated remaining economic useful life. Estimates of future after-tax cash flows are converted to present value through “discounting,” including an estimated rate of return that accounts for both the time value of money and investment risk factors. Estimated cash inflows are typically based on estimates of reasonable royalty rates for the applicable technology, applied to estimated market data. Estimated cash outflows are based on existing contractual obligations, such as contingent legal fee and inventor royalty obligations, applied to estimated license fee revenues, in addition to other estimates of out-of-pocket expenses associated with a specific patent portfolio’s licensing and enforcement program. The analysis also contemplates consideration of current information about the patent portfolio including, status and stage of litigation, periodic results of the litigation process, technology coverage and other pertinent information that could impact future net cash flows.

Income Taxes.  Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in Acacia’s consolidated financial statements or consolidated income tax returns. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if all, or some portion, of such assets will more than likely not be realized, or if it is determined that there is uncertainty regarding future realizability of such assets.

The provision for income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of Acacia’s annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter, Acacia updates the estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is recorded.  

The Company's effective tax rates were 1% and 2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and 1% and 7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The effective rates for the periods presented primarily reflect the impact of foreign withholding taxes related to certain revenue agreements executed with third party licensees domiciled in foreign jurisdictions, and valuation allowances recorded for foreign withholding tax credits and net operating loss related tax assets generated during the periods.


3.  INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

The Company computes net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders using the two-class method required for capital structures that include participating securities. Under the two-class method, securities that participate in non-forfeitable dividends, such as the Company’s outstanding unvested restricted stock, are considered “participating securities.”
  
In applying the two-class method, (i) basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) (less any dividends paid on participating securities) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and participating securities outstanding for the period and (ii) diluted earnings per share may include the additional effect of other securities, if dilutive, in which case the dilutive effect of such securities is calculated by applying the two-class method and the treasury

8
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


stock method to the assumed exercise or vesting of potentially dilutive common shares. The method yielding the more dilutive result is ultimately reported for the applicable period. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents primarily consist of employee stock options, and restricted stock units for calculations utilizing the two-class method, and also include unvested restricted stock, when utilizing the treasury method.

The following table presents the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share:
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(27,310
)
 
$
(12,415
)
 
$
(44,126
)
 
$
(49,785
)
Total dividends declared / paid
 
(6,342
)
 
(6,260
)
 
(19,091
)
 
(18,773
)
Dividends attributable to common stockholders
 
6,202

 
6,100

 
18,526

 
18,202

Net loss attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted
 
$
(27,450
)
 
$
(12,575
)
 
$
(44,691
)
 
$
(50,356
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted
 
49,630,369

 
48,806,334

 
49,423,548

 
48,561,428

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
 
$
(0.55
)
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(0.90
)
 
$
(1.04
)

Anti-dilutive equity-based incentive awards excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share were immaterial for the applicable periods presented.


4.  PATENTS

Acacia’s only identifiable intangible assets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are patents and patent rights.  Patent-related accumulated amortization totaled $206,519,000 and $166,565,000 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Acacia’s patents have remaining estimated economic useful lives ranging from one to nine years.  The weighted-average remaining estimated economic useful life of Acacia’s patents is approximately six years.  The following table presents the scheduled annual aggregate amortization expense as of September 30, 2015 (in thousands):
For the years ending December 31,
 
Remainder of 2015
$
12,732

2016
49,880

2017
48,870

2018
44,614

2019
38,981

Thereafter
54,409

 
$
249,486


For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, Acacia paid patent related investment costs, including up-front patent portfolio advances and previously accrued milestone payments related to patent related investments made in prior periods, totaling $19,504,000 and $24,518,000, respectively.  The underlying patents have estimated economic useful lives of approximately two to ten years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, certain Acacia operating subsidiaries elected to sell their rights to patent portfolios, resulting in the acceleration of amortization expense for the patent-related assets totaling $2,702,000.

9
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Proceeds from the sale of patents and the related gain on sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $3,500,000 and $833,000, respectively. Included in amortization of patents for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, was accelerated amortization related to the full or partial write-down of patent portfolios, due primarily to a reduction in expected estimated future net cash flows, totaling $258,000 and $2,565,000, respectively.


5.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Bank Guarantee
In March 2015, an operating subsidiary of Acacia entered into a standby letter of credit and guarantee arrangement (“Guarantee”) with a bank in the amount of $10,721,000, for purposes of enforcing a court ruling in a German patent court granting an injunction against the defendants in the related patent infringement case. An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that compels the defendant(s) to cease marketing, offering for sale or importing applicable infringing products into applicable jurisdiction(s).
Under German law, in order to enforce the injunction granted by the court, a Guarantee is required to be furnished by the operating subsidiary, the plaintiff in the case, for potential payment to the defendants of any applicable claims which may be incurred by the defendants as a result of the enforcement of the injunction, only in the event that the aforementioned court ruling is subsequently successfully appealed by the defendants or otherwise amended. The Guarantee is required to be issued unlimited with respect to time, until appropriately extinguished in accordance with German law. The Guarantee will be extinguished when a relevant extinguishment order by the court having jurisdiction takes effect, typically occurring when the related infringement case has been settled or a final non-appealable decision has been issued by the court.
The Guarantee is secured by a cash deposit at the contracting bank totaling $10,721,000, which is classified as restricted cash in the September 30, 2015 balance sheet. The Guarantee expires on April 10, 2016, however, it is automatically extended without amendment for a period of one (1) year from the present or any future expiration date, unless at least 30 days prior to any expiration date, the Guarantee is extinguished in accordance with German law. The Guarantee facility fee is 1.15% per year, and the related expense is included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Patent Enforcement
    Certain of Acacia’s operating subsidiaries are often required to engage in litigation to enforce their patents and patent rights.  In connection with any of Acacia’s operating subsidiaries’ patent enforcement actions, it is possible that a defendant may request and/or a court may rule that an operating subsidiary has violated statutory authority, regulatory authority, federal rules, local court rules, or governing standards relating to the substantive or procedural aspects of such enforcement actions.  In such event, a court may issue monetary sanctions against Acacia or its operating subsidiaries or award attorney’s fees and/or expenses to a defendant(s), which could be material.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, other operating expenses were $3,891,000 and $1,548,000, respectively. Third quarter 2015 operating expenses included expense accruals for court ordered attorney fees related to a matter initiated in 2010, and settlement and contingency accruals for other matters. Third quarter 2014 operating expenses included an expense accrual for court ordered attorney fees related to matters initiated in 2010 and 2011.

Other
Acacia is subject to claims, counterclaims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that the ultimate liability with respect to these claims and legal actions, if any, will not have a material effect on Acacia’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Cash Dividends. On April 23, 2013, Acacia announced that its Board of Directors approved the adoption of a cash dividend policy that calls for the payment of an expected total annual cash dividend of $0.50 per common share, payable in the amount of $0.125 per share per quarter. Under the policy, the Company paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $19,091,000 and

10
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


$18,773,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Future cash dividends are expected to be paid on a quarterly basis and will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.


7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 22, 2015, Acacia announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend payable in the amount of $0.125 per share. The quarterly cash dividend will be paid on November 30, 2015 to stockholders of record at close of business on November 6, 2015. Future cash dividends are expected to be paid on a quarterly basis and will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.


8.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted.

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued a new accounting standard which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period shall be treated as a performance condition. Adoption of this standard is required for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
    
In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update addressing revenue from contracts with customers, which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue.  Under the standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.  The amendments for this standard update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and are to be applied retrospectively or the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption, with early application not permitted.  On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year deferral to the effective date, but to permit entities to adopt one year earlier if they choose (i.e., the original effective date). Management is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard which requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern every reporting period including interim periods, and to provide related footnote disclosure in certain circumstances. Adoption of this standard is required for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and are to be applied retrospectively or the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact the pronouncement will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In September 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to simplify the accounting for measurement-period adjustments in a business combination by requiring the acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. The acquirer is also required to record in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, and other items resulting from the change to the provisional amounts. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the effect that implementation of this update will have on its consolidated financial position and results of operations upon adoption.
    

9. GOODWILL

At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, the goodwill balance totaled $30.1 million. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Factors considered important, which could trigger an impairment review, include the following:
 
•
significant other-than-temporary decline in the Company's stock price for a sustained period;
•
significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

11
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


•
significant changes in the manner of use of assets or the strategy for the Company's overall business;
•
significant negative industry or economic trends; and
•
significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the business climate, including adverse regulatory actions or assessments.
 
The Company considers its market capitalization and other valuation techniques, as applicable, when estimating fair value for goodwill impairment tests. When conducting annual and interim goodwill impairment assessments, the Company initially performs a qualitative evaluation (considering factors described above as applicable) of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a two-step impairment test is applied. The two-step impairment test first compares the estimated fair value of the Company's single reporting unit to its carrying or book value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and there is no requirement to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company is required to determine the estimated implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its estimated implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

June 30, 2015 Goodwill Impairment Assessment. At June 30, 2015, the Company assessed the impact of the recent downward volatility in the Company's stock price and concluded that the decline constituted a triggering event requiring an interim goodwill impairment test. The Company conducted the first step of the goodwill impairment test for its single reporting unit as of June 30, 2015. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value as of June 30, 2015 by approximately 4%, utilizing the market capitalization plus cost synergies approach described below, and therefore, goodwill was determined to not be impaired as of June 30, 2015.

September 30, 2015 Goodwill Impairment Analysis Update. The Company updated the quantitative impairment assessment described above as of September 30, 2015, conducting the first step of the goodwill impairment test for the Company's single reporting unit as of September 30, 2015. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2015, and therefore goodwill was determined to not be impaired as of September 30, 2015.

At September 30, 2015, fair value was estimated using the Company's market capitalization as of September 30, 2015. The estimated market capitalization was determined by multiplying the Company's stock price and the common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015, resulting in a market capitalization and fair value estimate of approximately $460.8 million. The carrying value of the Company was $439.5 million at September 30, 2015, resulting in an excess fair value estimate of $21.3 million or 5%. When considering an estimated control premium based on estimated cost synergies that could be realized by an acquirer in a hypothetical sale of the company, the estimated fair value increased to $502.8 million, resulting in an excess fair value estimate of $63.3 million or 14%.

Utilization of the Company's market capitalization in the first step of the analysis to estimate the fair value of the company for the purpose of assessing the recoverability of goodwill is significantly impacted by the stock price of the company at the measurement date. Historically, the Company's stock price has been volatile, and this volatility has continued for the periods reflected herein, ranging from $7.88 to $17.22 during the 2015 periods. In addition, subsequent to September 30, 2015, the Company's stock price volatility has continued, trending downward to $6.91, as of November 3, 2015. If the first step of the analysis was performed using the market capitalization approach as of November 3, 2015, the fair value estimate would have been approximately $350.6 million, resulting in a deficit of $88.9 million or 20% when compared to the September 30, 2015 carrying value of the company. If the first step of the analysis was performed using the market capitalization plus control premium approach on the same date, the fair value estimate would have been $392.6 million, resulting in a deficit of $46.9 million or 11% when compared to the September 30, 2015 carrying value of the company.

If this downward stock price movement since September 30, 2015 were deemed to be sustained and/or other-than-temporary, the Company may fail the first step of the goodwill impairment analysis using the market capitalization measurement approach and market capitalization plus cost synergies approach in future periods. As of the date of this report, management believes that the decline in the Company's stock price subsequent to September 30, 2015 is temporary, based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock price and management's belief that there have been no material changes to the estimates, judgments and assumptions underlying the estimates of fair value of the Company, subsequent to September 30, 2015. However, as of the filing date of this report, Acacia's operating subsidiaries have in excess of 10 patent infringement cases with a scheduled trial date in the next six months. It is difficult to predict the outcome of patent enforcement litigation at the trial level, and outcomes can be unfavorable. An unfavorable outcome in certain of the litigations scheduled to occur in the next six months could materially impact the Company's stock price (potentially resulting in an other-than-temporary-decline) and could materially reduce expected estimated future cash flows, which could materially reduce estimates of fair value in future periods. If, in future periods it is determined by the first step of the two-step impairment analysis that the carrying value

12
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company is required to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference would be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

In future periods, fair value may be estimated using the “Income Approach,” focusing on the estimated future income-producing capability of the Company's assets, principally its patent portfolios. The underlying premise of this approach is that the value of the Company can be estimated by the present value of the estimated future net economic benefit (cash receipts less cash outlays). The approach contemplates estimates of after-tax cash flows attributable to the Company's aggregate assets and converting these after-tax cash flows to present value through “discounting.” The discounting process contemplates an estimated rate of return that accounts for both the time value of money and investment risk factors. The cash inflows considered are comprised of an estimate of revenues to be generated from future licensing. Estimated cash outflows are based on estimated contractual obligations, such as contingent legal fee and inventor royalty obligations, applied to estimated revenues, in addition to other estimates of out-of-pocket expenses associated with licensing and enforcement and ongoing operations. Net cash flows also consider utilization of applicable tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, subject to applicable limitations on use.
 
As described above, in assessing the recoverability of goodwill using a discounted cash flow analysis, significant judgments and estimates are required in connection with estimates of fair values, including estimates of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows, estimates of time and risk related discount factors, estimates of costs and expenses and estimates of other factors that are used to estimate fair values of the Company. These estimates and judgments may change in future periods based on new or changing facts and circumstances. For example, significant declines in estimates of future revenues due to future adverse litigation or trial outcomes, changes in estimates of patent coverages, adverse rulings by the courts or other regulatory bodies that increase the complexity of patent law and the costs associated with the litigation process, changes in the Company's ability to invest in additional high-quality patent portfolios in future periods, changes in estimates of the Company's ability to launch new products or strategies, or other increases in costs associated with current or future licensing and enforcement programs, could have a material impact on estimates of fair value in connection with future interim or annual impairment tests. If these estimates or related projections result in material reductions to estimates of fair value in future periods, future intangible asset and/or goodwill impairment tests may result in material impairment charges to earnings.
  


13


Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Reference is made in particular to the description of our plans and objectives for future operations, assumptions underlying such plans and objectives, and other forward-looking statements set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these terms. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning intellectual property acquisition and development, licensing and enforcement activities, capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, regulatory matters, markets for our services, liquidity and capital resources and accounting matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements by reason of factors such as our ability to invest in new technologies and patents, future global economic conditions, changes in demand for our services, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments in markets in which we and our subsidiaries operate, results of litigation and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenues and costs. We expressly disclaim any intent, obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to conform such statements to actual results or to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks, uncertainties, and other factors that affect our business, including without limitation the disclosures made under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Financial Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and disclosures made under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors” and  “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

General

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, “we,” “us” “our” and “Company” refer to Acacia Research Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and/or its wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries, and/or where applicable, its management. All intellectual property acquisition, development, licensing and enforcement activities are conducted solely by certain of Acacia Research Corporation’s wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries.

Our operating subsidiaries invest in, license and enforce patented technologies. Our operating subsidiaries partner with inventors and patent owners, applying our legal and technology expertise to patent assets to unlock the financial value in their patented inventions. We are an intermediary in the patent marketplace, bridging the gap between invention and application, facilitating efficiency and delivering monetary rewards to patent owners.

Our operating subsidiaries generate revenues and related cash flows from the granting of patent rights for the use of patented technologies that our operating subsidiaries control or own. Our operating subsidiaries assist patent owners with the prosecution and development of their patent portfolios, the protection of their patented inventions from unauthorized use, the generation of licensing revenue from users of their patented technologies and, where necessary, with the enforcement against unauthorized users of their patented technologies through the filing of patent infringement litigation.

We are a leader in licensing patented technologies and have established a proven track record of licensing success with over 1,480 license agreements executed to date, across 184 patent licensing and enforcement programs. Currently, on a

14


consolidated basis, our operating subsidiaries own or control the rights to multiple patent portfolios, which include U.S. patents and certain foreign counterparts, covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries. To date, we have generated gross licensing revenue of approximately $1.2 billion, and have returned more than $695 million to our patent partners.

Executive Summary

We continued our business of empowering patent owners and rewarding invention by providing a path to patent monetization for the people and companies who have contributed valuable patented inventions to an industry, but who require a professional, experienced independent third-party licensing partner to get rewarded for those inventions. These people and companies are our customers, and in many cases, components of the patent disenfranchised. In so doing, we have placed ourselves at the forefront of an emerging secondary market in patent assets under which holders of high quality patents, including the patent disenfranchised, may be rewarded for the use of their patented inventions by others, even if they do not have the capital and expertise to engage in lengthy, costly and risky patent litigation.

Our operating activities have been principally focused on the continued pursuit of our ongoing patent licensing and enforcement programs and the commencement of new patent licensing and enforcement programs. In addition, we continued our focus on business development, including the continued investment in new patent portfolios during the periods presented by certain of our operating subsidiaries, and the continued pursuit of additional opportunities to partner with patent owners or invest in new patent portfolios and continue our industry leading patent licensing and enforcement activities.

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we reported revenues of $13.0 million from 8 new revenue agreements covering 13 different licensing programs. Cash and investments (including restricted cash of $10.7 million) totaled $168.5 million as of September 30, 2015, as compared to $193.0 million as of December 31, 2014.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we made patent related investment payments to patent owners, with whom we partnered for the licensing of their patented technologies, totaling $837,000.
    
Operating activities during the periods presented included the following:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues (in thousands)
$
12,994

 
$
37,192

 
$
87,540

 
$
99,846

New agreements executed
8

 
20

 
51

 
55

Licensing and enforcement programs generating revenues
13

 
20

 
28

 
37

Licensing and enforcement programs with initial revenues
—

 
3

 
3

 
10

New patent portfolios
2

 
—

 
2

 
4


We measure and assess the performance and growth of the patent licensing and enforcement businesses conducted by our operating subsidiaries based on consolidated revenues recognized across all of our technology licensing and enforcement programs on a trailing twelve-month basis.  Trailing twelve-month revenues during the periods presented were as follows (in thousands, except percentage change values):
As of Date:
 
Trailing Twelve -Month Revenues
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
$
118,570

 
(17
)%
June 30, 2015
 
$
142,768

 
(6
)%
March 31, 2015
 
$
152,508

 
17
 %
December 31, 2014
 
$
130,876

 
14
 %
September 30, 2014
 
$
114,911

 
—
 %


15


Our revenues historically have fluctuated quarterly, and can vary significantly, based on a number of factors including the following:

•
the dollar amount of agreements executed each period, which can be driven by the nature and characteristics of the technology or technologies being licensed and the magnitude of infringement associated with a specific licensee;
•
the specific terms and conditions of agreements executed each period including the nature and characteristics of rights granted, and the periods of infringement or term of use contemplated by the respective payments;
•
fluctuations in the total number of agreements executed each period;
•
the number of, timing, results and uncertainties associated with patent licensing negotiations, mediations, patent infringement actions, trial dates, trials and other enforcement proceedings relating to our patent licensing and enforcement programs;
•
the relative maturity of licensing programs during the applicable periods;
•
other external factors, including the periodic status or results of ongoing negotiations, the status or results of ongoing litigations and appeals, actual or perceived shifts in the regulatory environment, impact of unrelated patent related judicial proceedings and other macroeconomic factors; and
•
based on the relative merits and strength of our operating subsidiary’s patent infringement claims and other factors, whether or not prospective licensees have elected to settle significant patent infringement cases and pay reasonable license fees for the use of our patented technology, as those patent infringement cases approached a court determined trial date.

Management does not attempt to manage for smooth sequential periodic growth in revenues period to period, and therefore, periodic results can be uneven. Unlike most operating businesses and industries, licensing revenues not generated in a current period are not necessarily foregone but, depending on whether negotiations, litigation or both continue into subsequent periods, and depending on a number of other factors, such potential revenues may be pushed into subsequent fiscal periods. Although revenues from one or more of our patents or patent portfolios may be significant in a specific reporting period, we believe that none of our individual patents or patent portfolios is individually significant to our licensing and enforcement business as a whole.

We have strategically chosen to serve a smaller number of customers each having higher quality patent portfolios. High quality patent portfolios are typically associated with higher numbers of varied defensible claims, higher revenue potential, originating from high-pedigreed patent owners and/or possessing a relatively large number of prospective licensees. In this regard, commencing in the later portion of 2013 and early 2014, we have continued the shift in our focus at our point of patent intake, from quantity to quality.

We continue to identify and explore opportunities for partnering with companies in the technology and other sectors for the licensing and enforcement of their high quality patented technologies, and are also expanding our activity in international markets, both of which we expect will expand and diversify our future revenue generating opportunities.
  




















16


Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included fees from the following technology licensing and enforcement programs:
•
360 Degree View Technology(1)
 
•
Location Based Services technology
•
3G & 4G Cellular Air Interface and Infrastructure technology
 
•
Messaging technology
•
4G Wireless technology
 
•
Oil and Gas Production technology
•
Audio Communications Fraud Detection technology
 
•
Online Auction Guarantee technology
•
Automotive Safety, Navigation and Diagnostics technology
 
•
Optical Networking technology
•
Bone Wedge technology
 
•
Optimized Microprocessor Operation technology
•
Broadband Communications technology
 
•
Reflective and Radiant Barrier Insulation technology
•
Cardiology and Vascular Device technology
 
•
Semiconductor Testing technology(1)
•
DisplayPort and MIPI DSI technology(1)
 
•
Speech codes used in wireless and wireline systems technology
•
Electronic Access Control technology
 
•
Super Resolutions Microscopy technology
•
Gas Modulation Control Systems technology
 
•
Surgical Access technology
•
Innovative Display technology
 
•
Suture Anchors technology
•
Intercarrier SMS technology
 
•
Telematics technology
•
Interstitial and Pop-Up Internet Advertising technology
 
•
Unicondylar Knee Replacement technology
_________________________________________
(1) 
Initial revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2015

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included fees from the following technology licensing and enforcement programs:
•
3G & 4G Wireless Patents
 
•
Online Gaming technology
•
4G Wireless technology
 
•
Online newsletters with links technology
•
Audio Communications Fraud Detection technology
 
•
Optical Networking technology
•
Broadband Communications Technology
 
•
Radio Frequency Modulation technology(2)
•
Computer Aided Design Tools technology
 
•
Reflective and Radiant Barrier Insulation technology
•
Computer-Aided Design technology(2)
 
•
Semiconductor Packaging technology
•
Core Fiber Optic Network Architectures technology
 
•
Software Activation
•
DMT technology
 
•
Software Technology
•
Electronic Access Control technology(2)
 
•
Speech codes used in wireless and wireline systems(2)
•
Gas Modulation Control Systems technology
 
•
Spinning and Jousting Toy Game Technology(1)(2)
•
Improved Lighting technology
 
•
Super Resolutions Microscopy technology(2)
•
Innovative Display technology(2)
 
•
Suture Anchors technology
•
Interstitial and Pop-Up Internet Advertising
 
•
Telematics technology
•
Location Based Services technology
 
•
Video Analytics for Security technology
•
Messaging technology
 
•
Wireless Data Synchronization & Data Transfer technology
•
Microprocessor and Memory technology(1)(2)
 
•
Wireless Infrastructure and User Equipment Technology(1)(2)
•
Mobile Computer Synchronization technology
 
•
Wireless Location Based Services technology
•
Multi-Display Content Delivery and Data Aggregation technology(2)
 
•
Wireless Monitoring technology
•
Online Auction Guarantee
 
 
 
__________________________________________
(1) 
Initial revenues recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2014
(2) 
Initial revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014


17



Summary of Results of Operations - Overview
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
(In thousands, except percentage change values)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
%
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
12,994

 
$
37,192

 
(65
)%
 
$
87,540

 
$
99,846

 
(12
)%
Operating costs and expenses
39,830

 
49,825

 
(20
)%
 
126,986

 
146,761

 
(13
)%
Operating loss
(26,836
)
 
(12,633
)
 
112
 %
 
(39,446
)
 
(46,915
)
 
(16
)%
Loss before provision for income taxes
(27,016
)
 
(12,690
)
 
113
 %
 
(39,502
)
 
(47,059
)
 
(16
)%
Provision for income taxes
(337
)
 
(145
)
 
132
 %
 
(626
)
 
(3,462
)
 
(82
)%
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries
43

 
420

 
(90
)%
 
(3,998
)
 
736

 
*

Net loss attributable to Acacia Research Corporation
(27,310
)
 
(12,415
)
 
120
 %
 
(44,126
)
 
(49,785
)
 
(11
)%
*Percentage change in excess of 300%

Overview - Three months ended September 30, 2015 compared with the three months ended September 30, 2014

•
Revenues decreased $24.2 million, or 65%, to $13.0 million, as compared to $37.2 million in the comparable prior year quarter, due primarily to a decrease in the number of agreements executed.

•
Loss before income taxes was $27.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $12.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The change was due primarily to the 65% decrease in revenues and the following fluctuations in operating costs:

•
Cost of Revenues and Other Operating Expenses:

•
Inventor royalties and contingent legal fees, on a combined basis, decreased $10.2 million, or 83%, compared to the 65% decrease in related revenues for the same periods, due primarily to a greater percentage of revenues generated in the third quarter of 2015 having lower inventor royalty obligations, due to an increase in upfront advance recovery related preferred returns, as compared to the portfolios generating revenues in the prior year quarter.

•
Litigation and licensing expenses-patents increased $753,000, or 8%, to $10.3 million, due primarily to an increase in litigation support and third-party technical consulting expenses associated with upcoming trials, and ongoing and new licensing and enforcement programs commenced since the end of the comparable prior year quarter.

•
General and administrative expenses decreased $2.2 million, or 19%, to $9.4 million, due primarily to a net decrease in non-cash stock compensation and personnel costs in connection with head count reduction activities in 2015, and a decrease in variable performance-based compensation and other corporate, general and administrative costs, as described below.

•
Other operating expenses were $3.5 million as compared to $1.5 million in the comparable prior year quarter. Third quarter 2015 operating expenses included expense accruals for court ordered attorney fees related to a matter initiated in 2010, and settlement and contingency accruals for other matters.

Overview - Nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2014

•
Revenues decreased $12.3 million, or 12%, to $87.5 million, as compared to $99.8 million in the comparable prior year period, due primarily to a decrease in the total number of agreements executed and a decrease in the average revenue per agreement.

18



•
Loss before income taxes was $39.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $47.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The change was due primarily to the net impact of the decrease in revenues and a decrease in operating expenses as follows:

•
Cost of Revenues and Other Operating Expenses:

•
Inventor royalties and contingent legal fees, on a combined basis, decreased $9.6 million, or 29%, as compared to the 12% decrease in related revenues for the same periods, due primarily to a greater percentage of revenues generated during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 having lower inventor royalty obligations, due to an increase in upfront advance recovery related preferred returns, as compared to the portfolios generating revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

•
Litigation and licensing expenses-patents decreased $1.4 million, or 5%, to $28.0 million, due primarily to a decrease in patent prosecution and third-party technical consulting expenses associated with ongoing and new licensing and enforcement programs commenced since the end of the comparable prior year quarter.

•
Amortization of patents decreased $3.6 million, or 8%, to $40.0 million, due primarily to a decrease in patent impairment charges totaling $2.3 million, a decrease in accelerated amortization related to patent portfolio dispositions totaling $2.7 million and a decrease in accelerated amortization related to recovery of upfront advances, which was partially offset by an increase in scheduled amortization expense for patent portfolio investments made since the end of the prior year period totaling $2.8 million.

•
General and administrative expenses decreased $6.9 million, or 19%, to $29.6 million, due primarily to a net decrease in non-cash stock compensation charges, a reduction in personnel costs in connection with our 2015 head count reduction activities, and a decrease in variable performance based compensation and corporate general and administrative costs, as described below.

•
The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were 2% and 7%, respectively. Tax expense for the periods presented primarily reflects the impact of foreign withholding taxes related to revenue agreements executed with third party licensees domiciled in foreign jurisdictions, and valuation allowances recorded for foreign withholding tax credits and net operating loss related tax assets generated during the periods.
            
Investments in Patent Portfolios

We also measure and assess the performance and growth of the patent licensing and enforcement businesses conducted by our operating subsidiaries based on patent portfolio partnering / intake opportunities identified and/or closed by our operating subsidiaries on an annual basis. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we made additional investments in existing patent portfolios and added two new patent portfolios, one of the portfolios pertaining to technology in the energy vertical and the other portfolio relating to the improved operation of e-commerce server farms.

Refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for information regarding the impact on the consolidated financial statements of upfront advances and milestone payments made in connection with patent partnering and investment activities during the periods presented.

Consistent with our strategic shift towards working with a smaller number of high quality portfolios, we continue to identify opportunities in our patent portfolio intake pipeline to assess and analyze potential opportunities to invest in high quality patent portfolios in the technology, automotive and energy verticals. Future patent portfolio intake arrangements will continue to expand and diversify our future revenue generating opportunities. Our operating subsidiaries are principals in the licensing and enforcement effort, obtaining control of the rights in the patent portfolio, or control of the patent portfolio outright.

Patent Licensing and Enforcement

Patent Litigation Trial Dates and Related Trials.  As of the date of this report, our operating subsidiaries have in excess of 10 pending patent infringement cases, each with a scheduled trial date in the next six months.  Patent infringement trials are components of our overall patent licensing process and are one of many factors that contribute to possible future revenue generating opportunities for us.  Scheduled trial dates, as promulgated by the respective court, merely provide an indication of when, in future periods, the trials may occur according to the court’s scheduling calendar at a specific point in

19


time.  A court may change previously scheduled trial dates.  In fact, courts often reschedule trial dates for various reasons that are unrelated to the underlying patent assets and typically for reasons that are beyond our control.  While scheduled trial dates provide an indication of the timing of possible future revenue generating opportunities for us, the trials themselves and the immediately preceding periods represent the possible future revenue generating opportunities.  These future opportunities can result in varying outcomes.  In fact, it is difficult to predict the outcome of patent enforcement litigation at the trial level since outcomes can be unfavorable. It is often difficult for juries and trial judges to understand complex, patented technologies, and as a result, this may lead to a higher rate of unfavorable outcomes. Moreover, in the event of a favorable outcome, there is a higher rate of successful appeals in patent enforcement litigation than more standard business litigation. Such appeals are expensive and time consuming, resulting in increased costs and a potential for delayed or foregone revenue opportunities in the event of modification or reversal of favorable outcomes. Although we diligently pursue enforcement litigation, we cannot predict with significant reliability the decisions made by juries and trial courts.  Please refer to Item 1A. "Risk Factors" for additional information regarding trials, patent litigation and related risks.

Litigation and Licensing Expense. We expect patent-related legal expenses to continue to fluctuate from period to period based on the factors summarized herein, in connection with future trial dates, international enforcement, strategic patent portfolio prosecution and our current and future patent portfolio investment, prosecution, licensing and enforcement activities. The pursuit of enforcement actions in connection with our licensing and enforcement programs can involve certain risks and uncertainties, including the following:

•
Increases in patent-related legal expenses associated with patent infringement litigation, including, but not limited to, increases in costs billed by outside legal counsel for discovery, depositions, economic analyses, damages assessments, expert witnesses and other consultants, re-exam and inter partes review costs, case-related audio/video presentations and other litigation support and administrative costs could increase our operating costs and decrease our profit generating opportunities;

•
Our patented technologies and enforcement actions are complex and, as a result, we may be required to appeal adverse decisions by trial courts in order to successfully enforce our patents. Moreover, such appeals may not be successful;

•
New legislation, regulations or rules related to enforcement actions, including any fee or cost shifting provisions, could significantly increase our operating costs and decrease our profit generating opportunities. Increased focus on the growing number of patent-related lawsuits may result in legislative changes which increase our costs and related risks of asserting patent enforcement actions. For instance, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that would require non-practicing entities that bring patent infringement lawsuits to pay legal costs of the defendants, if the lawsuits are unsuccessful and certain standards are not met;

•
Courts may rule that our subsidiaries have violated certain statutory, regulatory, federal, local or governing rules or standards by pursuing such enforcement actions, which may expose us and our operating subsidiaries to material liabilities, which could harm our operating results and our financial position; and

•
The complexity of negotiations and potential magnitude of exposure for potential infringers associated with higher quality patent portfolios may lead to increased intervals of time between the filing of litigation and potential revenue events (i.e. markman dates, trial dates), which may lead to increased legal expenses, consistent with the higher revenue potential of such portfolios.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparation of these consolidated statements requires management to make judgments and estimates. Some accounting policies have a significant impact on amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements. A summary of significant accounting policies and a description of accounting policies that are considered critical may be found in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.





20


Goodwill Impairment Testing
 
At June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, the goodwill balance totaled $30.1 million. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Factors considered important, which could trigger an impairment review, include the following:
 
•
significant other-than-temporary decline in our stock price for a sustained period;
•
significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;
•
significant changes in the manner of use of assets or the strategy for our overall business;
•
significant negative industry or economic trends; and
•
significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the business climate, including adverse regulatory actions or assessments.
 
We consider our market capitalization and other valuation techniques, as applicable, when estimating fair value for goodwill impairment tests. When conducting our annual and interim goodwill impairment assessments, we initially perform a qualitative evaluation (considering factors described above as applicable) of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, we then apply a two-step impairment test. The two-step impairment test first compares the estimated fair value of our single reporting unit to its carrying or book value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to determine the estimated implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its estimated implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

June 30, 2015 Goodwill Impairment Assessment. At June 30, 2015, we assessed the impact of the recent downward volatility in our stock price and concluded that the decline constituted a triggering event requiring an interim goodwill impairment test. We conducted the first step of the goodwill impairment test for our single reporting unit as of June 30, 2015. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value as of June 30, 2015 by approximately 4%, utilizing the market capitalization plus cost synergies approach described below, and therefore, goodwill was determined to not be impaired as of June 30, 2015.

September 30, 2015 Goodwill Impairment Analysis Update. We updated the quantitative impairment assessment described above as of September 30, 2015, conducting the first step of the goodwill impairment test described above for our single reporting unit as of September 30, 2015. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2015, and therefore goodwill was determined to not be impaired as of September 30, 2015.

At September 30, 2015, fair value was estimated using our market capitalization as of September 30, 2015. The estimated market capitalization was determined by multiplying our stock price and the common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015, resulting in a market capitalization and fair value estimate of approximately $460.8 million. The carrying value of the Company was $439.5 million at September 30, 2015, resulting in an excess fair value estimate of $21.3 million or 5%. When considering an estimated control premium based on estimated cost synergies that could be realized by an acquirer in a hypothetical sale of the company, the estimated fair value increased to $502.8 million, resulting in an excess fair value estimate of $63.3 million or 14%.

Utilization of our market capitalization in the first step of the analysis to estimate the fair value of the Company for the purpose of assessing the recoverability of goodwill is significantly impacted by our stock price at the measurement date. Historically, our stock price has been volatile, and this volatility has continued for the periods reflected herein, ranging from $7.88 to $17.22 during the 2015 periods. In addition, subsequent to September 30, 2015, our stock price volatility has continued, trending downward to $6.91 as of November 3, 2015. If the first step of the analysis was performed using the market capitalization approach as of November 3, 2015, the fair value estimate would have been approximately $350.6 million, resulting in a deficit of $88.9 million or 20% when compared to our September 30, 2015 carrying value. If the first step of the analysis was performed using the market capitalization plus control premium approach on the same date, the fair value estimate would have been $392.6 million, resulting in a deficit of $46.9 million or 11% when compared to our September 30, 2015 carrying value.

If this downward stock price movement since September 30, 2015 were deemed to be sustained and/or other-than-temporary, we may fail the first step of the goodwill impairment analysis using the market capitalization measurement approach

21


and market capitalization plus cost synergies approach in future periods. As of the date of this report, management believes that the decline in our stock price subsequent to September 30, 2015 is temporary, based on the historical volatility of our stock price and management's belief that there have been no material changes to the estimates, judgments and assumptions underlying our estimates of fair value of the Company, subsequent to September 30, 2015. However, as of the filing date of this report, our operating subsidiaries have in excess of 10 patent infringement cases with a scheduled trial date in the next six months (refer to our website for additional information). It is difficult to predict the outcome of patent enforcement litigation at the trial level, and outcomes can be unfavorable. An unfavorable outcome in certain of the litigations scheduled to occur in the next six months could materially impact our stock price (potentially resulting in an other-than-temporary-decline) and could materially reduce expected estimated future cash flows, which could materially reduce estimates of fair value in future periods. If, in future periods it is determined by the first step of the two-step impairment analysis that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we are required to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference would be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

In future periods, fair value may be estimated using the “Income Approach,” focusing on the estimated future income-producing capability of our assets, principally our patent portfolios. The underlying premise of this approach is that the value of the company can be estimated by the present value of the estimated future net economic benefit (cash receipts less cash outlays). The approach contemplates estimates of after-tax cash flows attributable to the company's aggregate assets and converting these after-tax cash flows to present value through “discounting.” The discounting process contemplates an estimated rate of return that accounts for both the time value of money and investment risk factors. The cash inflows considered are comprised of an estimate of revenues to be generated from future licensing. Estimated cash outflows are based on estimated contractual obligations, such as contingent legal fee and inventor royalty obligations, applied to estimated revenues, in addition to other estimates of out-of-pocket expenses associated with licensing and enforcement and ongoing operations. Net cash flows also consider utilization of our applicable tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, subject to applicable limitations on use.
 
As described above, in assessing the recoverability of goodwill using a discounted cash flow analysis, significant judgments and estimates are required in connection with estimates of fair values, including estimates of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows, estimates of time and risk related discount factors, estimates of costs and expenses and estimates of other factors that are used to estimate fair value. These estimates and judgments may change in future periods based on new or changing facts and circumstances. For example, significant declines in estimates of future revenues due to future adverse litigation or trial outcomes, changes in estimates of patent coverages, adverse rulings by the courts or other regulatory bodies that increase the complexity of patent law and the costs associated with the litigation process, changes in our ability to invest in additional high-quality patent portfolios in future periods, changes in estimates of our ability to launch new products or strategies, or other increases in costs associated with current or future licensing and enforcement programs, could have a material impact on estimates of fair value in connection with future interim or annual impairment tests. If these estimates or related projections result in material reductions to our estimates of fair value in future periods, future intangible asset and/or goodwill impairment tests may result in material impairment charges to earnings.
    

Consolidated Results of Operations
Comparison of the Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Revenues and Pretax Net Loss
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues (in thousands, except percentage change values)
 
$
12,994

 
$
37,192

 
$
(24,198
)
 
(65
)%
 
$
87,540

 
$
99,846

 
$
(12,306
)
 
(12
)%
New agreements executed
 
8

 
20

 
 
 
 
 
51

 
55

 
 
 
 
Average revenue per agreement (in thousands)
 
$
1,624

 
$
1,860

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,716

 
$
1,815

 
 
 
 
    
A reconciliation of the change in revenues (based on average revenue per agreement) for the periods presented, using the prior year period as the base period, is as follows:

22


 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
(in thousands)
Change in number of agreements executed
 
$
(22,315
)
 
$
(7,262
)
Change in average revenue per agreement executed
 
(1,883
)
 
(5,044
)
Total change in revenues
 
$
(24,198
)
 
$
(12,306
)

Three licensees individually accounted for 54%, 15% and 13% of revenues recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2015, and two licensees accounted for 34% and 23% of revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Three licensees individually accounted for 43%, 30% and 12% of revenues recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2014, and three licensees accounted for 29%, 18% and 11% of revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the periods presented herein, the majority of the revenue agreements executed provided for the payment of one-time, paid-up license fees in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technology rights owned by our operating subsidiaries. These rights were primarily granted on a perpetual basis, extending until the expiration of the underlying patents.

 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
(in thousands, except percentage change values)
Loss before provision for income taxes
 
$
(27,016
)
 
$
(12,690
)
 
$
(14,326
)
 
113
%
 
$
(39,502
)
 
$
(47,059
)
 
$
7,557

 
(16
)%

A reconciliation of the change in pretax loss for the periods presented is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
%
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
%
 
(in thousands, except percentage values)
Decrease in revenues
$
(24,198
)
 
169
 %
 
$
(12,306
)
 
(163
)%
Decrease in inventor royalties and contingent legal fees
10,242

 
(71
)%
 
9,605

 
127
 %
Decrease in general and administrative expenses
2,194

 
(15
)%
 
6,906

 
91
 %
(Increase) decrease in litigation and licensing expenses
(753
)
 
5
 %
 
1,374

 
18
 %
(Increase) decrease in patent amortization expenses
(177
)
 
1
 %
 
3,561

 
47
 %
Other
(1,634
)
 
11
 %
 
(1,583
)
 
(20
)%
Total change in loss before provision for income taxes
$
(14,326
)
 
100
 %
 
$
7,557

 
100
 %

Cost of Revenues
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
(in thousands, except percentage change values)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inventor royalties
 
$
116

 
$
4,667

 
$
(4,551
)
 
(98
)%
 
$
10,706

 
$
16,312

 
$
(5,606
)
 
(34
)%
Contingent legal fees
 
1,972

 
7,663

 
(5,691
)
 
(74
)%
 
12,268

 
16,267

 
(3,999
)
 
(25
)%

Inventor Royalties and Contingent Legal Fees Expense.  Inventor royalties and contingent legal fee expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues recognized each period, the terms and conditions of agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios with varying economic terms and obligations generating revenues each period. A summary of the main drivers of the change in inventor royalties expense and contingent legal fees expense for the comparable periods presented, using the prior year period as the base period, is as follows (in thousands, except percentage

23


values):    
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
%
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
%
 
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
Inventor Royalties:
 
 
Decrease in total revenues
 
$
(3,621
)
 
80
 %
 
$
(2,529
)
 
45
 %
Decrease in inventor royalty rates due to upfront advance recovery related preferred returns
 
(1,706
)
 
37
 %
 
(6,233
)
 
111
 %
Decrease in revenues without inventor royalty obligations
 
776

 
(17
)%
 
3,156

 
(56
)%
Total change in inventor royalties expense
 
$
(4,551
)
 
100
 %
 
$
(5,606
)
 
100
 %

Contingent Legal Fees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in total revenues
 
$
(4,989
)
 
88
%
 
$
(2,059
)
 
51
 %
Decrease in contingent legal fee rates
 
(624
)
 
11
%
 
(2,224
)
 
56
 %
(Increase) decrease in revenues without contingent legal fee obligations
 
(78
)
 
1
%
 
284

 
(7
)%
Total change in contingent legal fees expense
 
$
(5,691
)
 
100
%
 
$
(3,999
)
 
100
 %

 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
(in thousands, except percentage change values)

Litigation and licensing expenses - patents
 
$
10,345

 
$
9,592

 
$
753

 
8
%
 
$
28,032

 
$
29,406

 
$
(1,374
)
 
(5
)%
Amortization of patents
 
13,688

 
13,511

 
177

 
1
%
 
39,954

 
43,515

 
(3,561
)
 
(8
)%
Litigation and Licensing Expenses - Patents.  Litigation and licensing expenses-patents include patent-related prosecution and enforcement costs incurred by outside patent attorneys engaged on an hourly basis and the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by law firms engaged on a contingent fee basis.  Litigation and licensing expenses-patents also includes licensing and enforcement related third-party patent research, development, consulting, and other costs incurred in connection with the licensing and enforcement of patent portfolios. 

Litigation and licensing expenses-patents for the three month periods presented increased due to a net increase in patent prosecution, litigation support and third-party technical consulting expenses associated with upcoming trials and ongoing and new licensing and enforcement programs commenced since the end of the comparable prior year quarter. Litigation and licensing expenses-patents decreased slightly for the nine month periods presented. We expect patent-related legal expenses to continue to fluctuate period to period as we incur increased costs related to upcoming scheduled and/or anticipated trial dates, international enforcement activities and strategic patent portfolio prosecution activities over the next several fiscal quarters, as we continue to focus on our investments in these areas.

Amortization of Patents.  The change in amortization expense for the comparable periods presented was due to the following (in thousands, except percentage values):

24


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 

 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
%
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
%
 
 
 
 
Amortization of patent portfolio investments since the end of the prior year period
$
1,000

 
565
 %
 
$
2,786

 
(78
)%
Decrease in accelerated amortization related to patent portfolio sales
—

 
—
 %
 
(2,702
)
 
76
 %
Patent portfolio impairment charges
258

 
146
 %
 
(2,307
)
 
65
 %
Scheduled amortization for patent portfolios owned or controlled as of the end of the prior year period
(207
)
 
(117
)%
 
(152
)
 
4
 %
Accelerated amortization related to recovery of upfront advances
(874
)
 
(494
)%
 
(1,186
)
 
33
 %
Total change in patent amortization expense
$
177

 
100
 %
 
$
(3,561
)
 
100
 %

Included in amortization of patents for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, was accelerated amortization related to the full and partial write-down of patent portfolios, primarily due to reductions in expected estimated future net cash flows, totaling $258,000 and $2.6 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 31, 2014, certain Acacia operating subsidiaries elected to terminate or sell their rights to patent portfolios, resulting in the acceleration of amortization expense for the patent-related assets totaling $2.7 million. Proceeds from the sale of patents and the related gain on sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $3,500,000 and $833,000, respectively.

Operating Expenses (in thousands, except percentage change values)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
$
7,278

 
$
7,682

 
$
(404
)
 
(5
)%
 
$
21,016

 
$
22,488

 
$
(1,472
)
 
(7
)%
Non-cash stock compensation expense
2,164

 
3,954

 
(1,790
)
 
(45
)%
 
8,588

 
14,022

 
(5,434
)
 
(39
)%
Total general and administrative expenses
$
9,442

 
$
11,636

 
$
(2,194
)
 
(19
)%
 
$
29,604

 
$
36,510

 
$
(6,906
)
 
(19
)%
    
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses include employee compensation and related personnel costs, including variable performance based compensation and non-cash stock compensation expenses, office and facilities costs, legal and accounting professional fees, public relations, stock administration, state taxes based on gross receipts and other corporate costs.  A summary of the main drivers of the change in general and administrative expenses for the periods presented, is as follows (in thousands, except percentage values):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 

 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

 
2015 vs. 2014
 
%
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
%
 
 
 
 
Personnel costs
$
(758
)
 
35
 %
 
$
(366
)
 
5
 %
Variable performance-based compensation costs
(782
)
 
36
 %
 
(1,010
)
 
15
 %
Corporate, general and administrative costs
(601
)
 
27
 %
 
(1,020
)
 
15
 %
Non-cash stock compensation expense
(1,790
)
 
82
 %
 
(5,434
)
 
79
 %
Non-recurring employee severance costs
1,737

 
(80
)%
 
924

 
(14
)%
Total change in general and administrative expenses
$
(2,194
)
 
100
 %
 
$
(6,906
)
 
100
 %


Other Operating Expenses

Third quarter 2015 other operating expenses were $3,465,000 as compared to $1,548,000 in the comparable prior year quarter. Third quarter 2015 operating expenses included expense accruals for court ordered attorney fees related to a matter

25


initiated in 2010, and settlement and contingency accruals for other matters. Third quarter 2014 operating expenses included an expense accrual for court ordered attorney fees related to matters initiated in 2010 and 2011.

Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes (in thousands)
$
(337
)
 
$
(145
)
 
$
(626
)
 
$
(3,462
)
Effective tax rate
1
%
 
1
%
 
2
%
 
7
%
    
Provision for Income Taxes. Tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 primarily reflects the impact of foreign withholding taxes related to certain revenue agreements executed with third party licensees domiciled in foreign jurisdictions, state taxes and valuation allowances recorded for foreign withholding tax credits and net operating loss related tax assets generated during the periods.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and investments on hand generated from our operating activities. Our management believes that our cash and cash equivalent balances, investments and anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements through at least November 2016 and for the foreseeable future. We may, however, encounter unforeseen difficulties that may deplete our capital resources more rapidly than anticipated, including those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.  Any efforts to seek additional funding could be made through issuances of equity or debt, or other external financing.  However, additional funding may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. The capital and credit markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption since late 2007, and the volatility and impact of the disruption has continued into 2015.  At times during this period, the volatility and disruption has reached unprecedented levels. In several cases, the markets have exerted downward pressure on stock prices and credit capacity for certain issuers, and the commercial paper markets may not be a reliable source of short-term financing for us. If we fail to obtain additional financing when needed, we may not be able to execute our business plans and our business, conducted by our operating subsidiaries, may suffer.

Certain of our operating subsidiaries are often required to engage in litigation to enforce their patents and patent rights.  In connection with any of our operating subsidiaries’ patent enforcement actions, it is possible that a defendant may request and/or a court may rule that an operating subsidiary has violated statutory authority, regulatory authority, federal rules, local court rules, or governing standards relating to the substantive or procedural aspects of such enforcement actions.  In such event, a court may issue monetary sanctions against us or our operating subsidiaries or award attorney’s fees and/or expenses to a defendant(s), which could be material.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

Our consolidated cash and cash equivalents and investments on hand, excluding restricted cash balances, totaled $157.8 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $193.0 million at December 31, 2014.  The net change in cash and cash equivalents for the periods presented was comprised of the following (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
Operating activities (including restricted cash reclassification of $10,721)
$
2,155

 
$
13,890

Investing activities
39,307

 
33,124

Financing activities
(18,153
)
 
(19,442
)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities.  Cash receipts from licensees for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were relatively flat, increasing 2% to $95.0 million, as compared to $93.5 million in the comparable 2014 period. Cash

26


outflows from operations (excluding restricted cash) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased 3%, to $82.1 million, as compared to $79.6 million in the comparable 2014 period, primarily due to the net impact of the timing of cash receipts from licensees and related payments of inventor royalties and contingent legal fees, and the timing of payments to other third-parties in the ordinary course, for the same periods. Refer to “Working Capital” below for additional information.

Restricted Cash. In March 2015, an operating subsidiary of ours entered into a Guarantee with a bank in the amount of $10.7 million, in connection with enforcing a ruling in a German patent court granting an injunction against the defendants in the related patent infringement case. The Guarantee is secured by a cash deposit at the contracting bank totaling $10.7 million, which is classified as restricted cash in the September 30, 2015 balance sheet. See below for additional information.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Cash flows from investing activities and related changes were comprised of the following for the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale investments, net
$
58,819

 
$
57,748

Investments in patents/ patent rights
(19,504
)
 
(24,518
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(8
)
 
(106
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
$
39,307

 
$
33,124

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Cash flows from financing activities and related changes included the following for the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 

 
 

Dividends paid to stockholders
$
(19,091
)
 
$
(18,773
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary
—

 
(867
)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options
938

 
198

Net cash used in financing activities
$
(18,153
)
 
$
(19,442
)

In April 2013, our Board of Directors approved the adoption of a cash dividend policy that calls for the payment of an expected total annual cash dividend of $0.50 per common share, payable in the amount of $0.125 per share per quarter. Under the policy, we paid cash dividends totaling $19.1 million and $18.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. On October 22, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend payable in the amount of $0.125 per share. The quarterly cash dividend will be paid on November 30, 2015 to stockholders of record at close of business on November 6, 2015. Future cash dividends are expected to be paid on a quarterly basis and will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

Working Capital

Working capital (including restricted cash) at September 30, 2015 decreased to $160.6 million, compared to $172.8 million at December 31, 2014. Consolidated accounts receivable from licensees decreased to $12.8 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $20.2 million at December 31, 2014. Consolidated royalties and contingent legal fees payable decreased to $9.2 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $14.4 million at December 31, 2014.  

The majority of accounts receivable from licensees at September 30, 2015 were collected or scheduled to be collected in the fourth quarter of 2015, in accordance with the terms of the related underlying agreements.  The majority of royalties and contingent legal fees payable are scheduled to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2015 or the first quarter of 2016, subsequent to receipt by us of the related fee payments from licensees, in accordance with the underlying contractual arrangements.







27


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Except as set forth below, we have not entered into off-balance sheet financing arrangements, other than operating leases.  We have no significant commitments for capital expenditures in 2015.  We have no long-term debt. The following table lists our known contractual obligations and future cash commitments as of September 30, 2015 (in thousands):
 
 
Payments Due by Period (In thousands)
Contractual Obligations
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating leases
$
6,864

 
$
265

 
$
3,151

 
$
3,281

 
$
167


Standby Letter of Credit and Guarantee Arrangement. In March 2015, an operating subsidiary of ours entered into a standby letter of credit and guarantee arrangement (“Guarantee”) with a bank in the amount of $10.7 million, for purposes of enforcing a court ruling in a German patent court granting an injunction against the defendants in the related patent infringement case. An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that compels the defendant(s) to cease marketing, offering for sale or importing applicable infringing products into applicable jurisdiction(s).
Under German law, in order to enforce the injunction granted by the court, a Guarantee is required to be furnished by our operating subsidiary, the plaintiff in the case, for potential payment to the defendants of any applicable claims which may be incurred by the defendants as a result of the enforcement of the injunction, only in the event that the aforementioned court ruling is subsequently successfully appealed by the defendants or otherwise amended. The Guarantee is required to be issued unlimited with respect to time, until appropriately extinguished in accordance with German law. The Guarantee will be extinguished when a relevant extinguishment order by the court having jurisdiction takes effect, typically occurring when the related infringement case has been settled or a final non-appealable decision has been issued by the court.
The Guarantee is secured by a cash deposit at the contracting bank totaling $10.7 million, which is classified as restricted cash in the September 30, 2015 balance sheet. The Guarantee expires on April 10, 2016, however, it is automatically extended without amendment for a period of one (1) year from the present or any future expiration date, unless at least 30 days prior to any expiration date, the Guarantee is extinguished in accordance with German law. The Guarantee facility fee is 1.15% per year, and the related expense is included in the statement of operations.
Uncertain Tax Positions.  At September 30, 2015, we had total unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $2.1 million, including a recorded noncurrent liability of $85,000 related to unrecognized tax benefits primarily associated with state taxes. No interest and penalties have been recorded for the unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2015. If recognized, approximately $2.1 million would impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next 12 months. There was no activity related to the gross unrecognized tax benefits for the periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.


Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while concurrently maximizing the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. Some of the securities that we invest in may be subject to interest rate risk and/or market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates, with respect to interest rate risk, or a change in the value of the United States equity markets, with respect to market risk, may cause the principal amount or market value of the investments to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with a fixed interest rate at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the current value of the principal amount of our investment may decline. To minimize these risks in the future, we intend to maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of securities, including commercial paper, money market funds, high-grade corporate bonds, government and non-government debt securities and certificates of deposit.

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our short-term investments were comprised of AAA-rated money market funds that invest in first-tier only securities, which primarily include domestic commercial paper, securities issued or

28


guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, U.S. bank obligations, and fully collateralized repurchase agreements (included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets) and direct investments in highly liquid, AAA-rated, U.S. government securities.

In general, money market funds are not subject to market risk because the interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate. Accordingly, a 100 basis point increase in interest rates or a 10% decline in the value of the United States equity markets would not be expected to have a material impact on the value of such money market funds. Investments in U.S. government fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if interest rates increase. However, due to the relatively short duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would have no material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Declines in interest rates over time will, however, reduce our interest income.


Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our management, with the participation and under the supervision of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter (the quarter ended September 30, 2015) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls.
Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.


29


PART II--OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

The risk factors set forth below contain changes to the description of the applicable risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015.
Our exposure to uncontrollable outside influences, including new legislation, court rulings or actions by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, could adversely affect our licensing and enforcement business and results of operations.
Our licensing and enforcement business is subject to numerous risks from outside influences, including the following:
New legislation, regulations or rules related to obtaining patents or enforcing patents could significantly increase our operating costs and decrease our revenue.
Our operating subsidiaries invest in patents with enforcement opportunities and spend a significant amount of resources to enforce those patents. If new legislation, regulations or rules are implemented by Congress, the USPTO or the courts that impact the patent application process, the patent enforcement process or the rights of patent holders, such changes could negatively affect our business. Recently, United States patent laws were amended with the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the America Invents Act, which took effect on March 16, 2013. The America Invents Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. In general, the legislation attempts to address issues surrounding the enforceability of patents and the increase in patent litigation by, among other things, establishing new procedures for patent litigation. For example, the America Invents Act changes the way that parties may be joined in patent infringement actions, increasing the likelihood that such actions will need to be brought against individual allegedly-infringing parties by their respective individual actions or activities. In addition, the America Invents Act enacted a new inter-partes review process at the USPTO which can be, and often is, used by defendants, and other individuals and entities, to separately challenge the validity of any patent. At this time, it is not clear what, if any, overall impact the America Invents Act will have on the operation of our enforcement business. However, the America Invents Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the enforcement of our patented technologies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
The U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, has conducted reviews of the patent system to evaluate the impact of patent assertion entities on industries in which those patents relate. It is possible that the findings and recommendations of the DOJ could impact the ability to effectively license and enforce standards-essential patents and could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the enforcement of any such patented technologies. Also, in 2014, the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, initiated a study under Section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act to evaluate the patent assertion practice and market impact of Patent Assertion Entities, or PAEs.  The FTC’s initial notice and request for public comment relating to the PAE study appeared in the Federal Register on October 3, 2013.  Acacia Research Corporation received and responded to a request for information as part of this FTC study.  It is expected that the results of the PAE study by the FTC will be provided to Congress and other agencies, such as the DOJ, who could take action, including legislative proposals, based on the results of the study.
Finally, new rules regarding the burden of proof in patent enforcement actions could significantly increase the cost of our enforcement actions, and new standards or limitations on liability for patent infringement could negatively impact our revenue derived from such enforcement actions. In addition, recent federal court decisions have lowered the threshold for obtaining attorneys’ fees in patent infringement cases and increased the level of deference given to a district court’s fee-shifting determination. These decisions may make it easier for district courts to shift a prevailing party’s attorneys' fees to a non-prevailing party if the district court believes that the case was weak or conducted in an abusive manner. As a result, defendants in patent infringement actions brought by non-practicing entities may elect not to settle because these decisions make it much easier for defendants to get attorneys’ fees.
Changes in patent law could adversely impact our business.
Patent laws may continue to change, and may alter the historically consistent protections afforded to owners of patent rights. Such changes may not be advantageous for us and may make it more difficult to obtain adequate patent protection to enforce our patents against infringing parties. Increased focus on the growing number of patent-related lawsuits may result in legislative changes which increase our costs and related risks of asserting patent enforcement actions. For instance, the United

30


States Congress is considering a bill that would require, among other things, non-practicing entities that bring patent infringement lawsuits to pay legal costs of the defendants, if the lawsuits are unsuccessful and certain standards are not met.
Trial judges and juries often find it difficult to understand complex patent enforcement litigation, and as a result, we may need to appeal adverse decisions by lower courts in order to successfully enforce our patents.
It is difficult to predict the outcome of patent enforcement litigation at the trial level. It is often difficult for juries and trial judges to understand complex, patented technologies, and as a result, there is a higher rate of successful appeals in patent enforcement litigation than more standard business litigation. Such appeals are expensive and time consuming, resulting in increased costs and delayed revenue. Although we diligently pursue enforcement litigation, we cannot predict with significant reliability the decisions made by juries and trial courts.
More patent applications are filed each year resulting in longer delays in getting patents issued by the USPTO.
Certain of our operating subsidiaries hold and continue to invest in pending patents. We have identified a trend of increasing patent applications each year, which we believe is resulting in longer delays in obtaining approval of pending patent applications. The application delays could cause delays in recognizing revenue from these patents and could cause us to miss opportunities to license patents before other competing technologies are developed or introduced into the market.
Federal courts are becoming more crowded, and as a result, patent enforcement litigation is taking longer.
Our patent enforcement actions are almost exclusively prosecuted in federal court. Federal trial courts that hear our patent enforcement actions also hear criminal cases. Criminal cases always take priority over our actions. As a result, it is difficult to predict the length of time it will take to complete an enforcement action. Moreover, we believe there is a trend in increasing numbers of civil lawsuits and criminal proceedings before federal judges and, as a result, we believe that the risk of delays in our patent enforcement actions will have a greater effect on our business in the future unless this trend changes.
Any reductions in the funding of the USPTO could have an adverse impact on the cost of processing pending patent applications and the value of those pending patent applications.
The assets of our operating subsidiaries consist of patent portfolios, including pending patent applications before the USPTO. The value of our patent portfolios is dependent upon the issuance of patents in a timely manner, and any reductions in the funding of the USPTO could negatively impact the value of our assets. Further, reductions in funding from Congress could result in higher patent application filing and maintenance fees charged by the USPTO, causing an unexpected increase in our expenses.
Competition is intense in the industries in which our subsidiaries do business and as a result, we may not be able to grow or maintain our market share for our technologies and patents.
We expect to encounter competition in the area of patent portfolio investments and enforcement as the number of companies entering this market is increasing. This includes competitors seeking to invest in the same or similar patents and technologies that we may seek to invest in. Entities including RPX, AST, Intellectual Ventures, Wi-LAN, Conversant, Round Rock Research LLC, IPvalue Management Inc., Vringo Inc. and Pendrell Corporation compete in acquiring rights to patents, and we expect more entities to enter the market. As new technological advances occur, many of our patented technologies may become obsolete before they are completely monetized. If we are unable to replace obsolete technologies with more technologically advanced patented technologies, then this obsolescence could have a negative effect on our ability to generate future revenues.
Our licensing business also competes with venture capital firms and various industry leaders for patent licensing opportunities. Many of these competitors may have more financial and human resources than we do. As we become more successful, we may find more companies entering the market for similar technology opportunities, which may reduce our market share in one or more technology industries that we currently rely upon to generate future revenue.
Our patented technologies face uncertain market value.
Our operating subsidiaries have invested in patents and technologies that may be in the early stages of adoption in the commercial and consumer markets. Demand for some of these technologies is untested and is subject to fluctuation based upon the rate at which our licensees will adopt our patents and technologies in their products and services.

31


Further, significant judgment is required in connection with estimates of the recoverability of the carrying value of our intangible patent assets, including estimates of market values, estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows, and estimates of other factors that are used to determine the fair value and recoverability of the respective patent asset values. Developments with respect to ongoing patent litigation, patent challenges and re-exams, legislative and judicial decisions and other factors outside of our control, may unfavorably impact the validity, applicability, and enforceability of our patent assets, and therefore, negatively impact the future value of our patent portfolios. If certain of these unfavorable events occur, our estimates or related projections may change materially in future periods, and future intangible asset impairment tests may result in material charges to earnings.
As patent enforcement litigation becomes more prevalent, it may become more difficult for us to voluntarily license our patents.
We believe that the more prevalent patent enforcement actions become, the more difficult it will be for us to voluntarily license our patents. As a result, we may need to increase the number of our patent enforcement actions to cause infringing companies to license the patent or pay damages for lost royalties. This may increase the risks associated with an investment in our company.
Patent litigation trials and scheduled trial dates are subject to routine delay, and any such delays could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Patent infringement trials are components of our overall patent licensing process and are one of many factors that contribute to the existence of possible future revenue opportunities for us.  Patent litigation schedules in general, and in particular trial dates, are subject to routine adjustment, and in most cases delay, as courts adjust their calendars or respond to requests from one or more parties. Trial dates often are rescheduled by the court for various reasons that are often unrelated to the underlying patent assets and typically for reasons that are beyond our control. As a result, to the extent such events are an indicator of possible future revenue opportunities for us, or other outcome determinative events, they may and often do change which can result in delay of the expected scheduled event. Any such delay could be significant and could affect the corresponding future revenue opportunities, thus adversely impacting our business, results of operations and financial condition.


Item 6.  EXHIBITS
      
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
EXHIBIT
 
 
10.1*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Robert L. Harris, II.
10.2*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Matthew Vella.
10.3*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Clayton J. Haynes.
10.4*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Edward J. Treska.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101
Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T
*
These exhibits are identified as management contracts or compensation arrangements of Acacia Research Corporation.




32


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


 
ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
 
 
 
/s/  Matthew Vella
 
By: Matthew Vella
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
(Principal Executive Officer and Duly Authorized Signatory)
 
 
 
/s/  Clayton J. Haynes  
 
By: Clayton J. Haynes
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 

Date:     November 9, 2015


33


EXHIBIT INDEX
                   
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
EXHIBIT
10.1*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Robert L. Harris, II.
10.2*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Matthew Vella.
10.3*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Clayton J. Haynes.
10.4*
Employment Agreement, dated September 22, 2015, between Acacia Research Group, LLC and Edward J. Treska.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101
Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T.
*
These exhibits are identified as management contracts or compensation arrangements of Acacia Research Corporation.





34