SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) - May 9, 2002
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                           ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)




         Delaware                   000-26068                    95-4405754
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(State or Other Jurisdiction        (Commission               (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization)   File Number)             Identification No.)



500 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California                 92660
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                         (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (949) 480-8300
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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed since Last Report)






ITEM 7.    EXHIBITS.

                  (a)      Not Applicable.

                  (b)      Not Applicable.

                  (c)      Exhibits.

                           Exhibit 99.1
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                           Press Release dated May 9, 2002 of the Registrant.



ITEM 9.  REGISTRATION FD DISCLOSURE.

         On May 9, 2002, Acacia Research Corporation issued a press release, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by
reference.




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                                   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, hereunto duly authorized.

                                     ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION


Date:  May 10, 2002                  By: /s/ Paul R. Ryan
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Paul R. Ryan
                                     Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer




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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION
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   99.1                  Press Release dated May 9, 2002 of the Registrant.




















                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
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