Acacia Research Names Geoffrey Stevens, Former GO.com Executive, as Vice President, Business Development

Business Wire, March 14, 2000

Business Editors & Multimedia Writers

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2000

Acacia Research Corp. (Nasdaq:ACRI) today announced that it has named Geoffrey Stevens, former Director of Product Development at GO.com, as Vice President, Business Development.

"We are extremely pleased to have Geoffrey Stevens join our management team," said chief executive officer and president Paul R. Ryan. "His strong business development and marketing experience with GO.com, Disney TeleVentures, Young & Rubicam, Chiat/Day and Saatchi & Saatchi will be a great asset as we aggressively incubate and acquire ownership positions in new companies."

At GO.com, Stevens was responsible for the development, launch and market performance of next generation wireless/broadband Internet products. He previously held the position of director of Marketing Development and Distribution where he managed the team responsible for integrated marketing strategy, direct marketing, and distribution business development for the GO Network portal.

Previously, Stevens was director of Partner Marketing for Disney TeleVentures, where he was a business and marketing strategy advisor to Americast. Earlier in his career, he held account management positions with Young & Rubicam, Chiat/Day, and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Stevens holds a B.A. from Queen's University and a Master of Management degree from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

About Acacia Research Corp.

Acacia Research develops and operates Internet and technology-related businesses as well as acquires strategic positions in other companies. Acacia Research's majority-owned subsidiaries include: Acacia Launchpad LLC (Internet incubator), CombiMatrix Corp. (biochip technology), MerkWerks Corp. (software development), Soundbreak.com Inc. (music broadcast and lifestyle Internet site), and Soundview Technologies Inc. (v-chip technology). Significant minority-owned affiliates include: The EC Company (b2b eTransactions), Greenwich Information Technologies LLC (video- and audio-on-demand technology), Mediaconnex Communications (b2b e-commerce), and Signature-mail (personalized e-mail service). Acacia Research's Web site is located at http://www.acaciaresearch.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements address future events and conditions concerning the company's business plans. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, such as future economic conditions, changes in consumer demand, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments, and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenues and costs, which may cause actual results to differ materially. Acacia Research urges investors to review in detail the risks and uncertainties disclosed in the company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended Sept. 30, 1999 and the company's Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on Feb. 7, 2000, copies of which can be obtained from the company or the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company expressly disclaims any future obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein.