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) - December 21, 2001
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.)
55 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (626) 396-8300
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Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events.
Paul Ryan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Acacia Research
Corporation, has established a plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission to provide for pre-determined sales of a portion of his
Acacia Research common stock.
The purpose of the plan is to provide proceeds to pay federal and state tax
obligations resulting from Mr. Ryan's exercise of Acacia Research stock options
during 2001. Under the plan, an average of 4,000 shares will be sold each week
commencing December 24, 2001, subject to minimum share price restrictions, until
sufficient funds have been generated.
Mr. Ryan exercised 275,000 options prior to their expiration in 2001 that
had vested in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Mr. Ryan has been a director of Acacia
Research since 1995, Chief Executive Officer since 1997 and Chairman since 2000.
Mr. Ryan has not previously sold any Acacia Research stock.
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: December 21, 2001 By: /s/ Paul R. Ryan
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Name: Paul R. Ryan
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer