Acacia Research Comments On Ruling in V-Chip Patent Litigation

Business Wire, Sept 27, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2002

In order to clarify the effect of the granting of a Motion for Summary Judgment in the Connecticut lawsuit, announced earlier today, Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:ACRI) announced that the ruling has no effect on the revenues the company has received from current licensees of its patented V-Chip technology.

None of the revenues the company has received are contingent upon any court rulings or the future outcome of any litigation with unlicensed television manufacturers.

Soundview's V-chip technology uses a television's receiver circuitry to decode content rating information sent as part of the broadcast signal. Soundview's lawsuits allege that television manufacturers are utilizing Soundview's patented technology. The 1996 Telecommunications Act requires TV manufacturers to include technology that can screen programming based on content rating codes in new television sets with screens 13 inches or larger sold in the U.S. after July 1, 1999. Approximately 25 million new televisions are sold each year in the United States.

Soundview Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acacia Research Corporation.

About Soundview Technologies Incorporated

Soundview Technologies has acquired and developed intellectual property in the telecommunications field, including audio and video blanking systems, also known as V-chip technology. Soundview owns the exclusive right and title to U.S. Patent No. 4,554,584, which describes a cost efficient method for implementing the V-chip system in parallel with the existing closed-captioning circuits already in place in televisions.

About Acacia Research Corporation

Acacia Research develops, licenses and provides products for the life science and media technology sectors. Acacia licenses its V-chip technology to television manufacturers and owns pioneering technology for digital streaming and video-on-demand. Acacia's CombiMatrix subsidiary is developing a biochip technology for the life science market. Acacia Research's website is located at www.acaciaresearch.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation

Reform Act of 1995:

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.