UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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):  January 24, 2022

ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (949) 480-8300

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).     o Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o

Item 7.01 – Regulation FD Disclosure.

Acacia Research Corporation (“Acacia”) has submitted a private proposal to Kohl’s Corporation (“Kohl’s”) to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Kohl’s for $64 per share in cash. In conversations related to the proposal, representatives of Acacia and Kohl’s discussed Acacia’s business strategy and prospective plans with respect to Kohl’s. Acacia’s Chief Executive Officer, Clifford Press, stated that Kohl’s is an attractive company and expressed interest in participating in a productive, private dialogue regarding a transaction. Jefferies LLC is acting as financial advisor to Acacia.

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.