Patent reform seems to have gotten a boost in the 112th Congress.  The Senate voted 95-5 on March 8 to pass The America Invents Act, which also goes by S.23 among the cognoscenti, which doesn't include Blawgletter.

Some key changes would have affected lawsuits in direct ways.  But, just before the Senate tally, S.23 shed almost all of those parts.  The bill thus doesn't cabin damages, keeps the status quo on venue transfer, and waters down limits on business method patents.

Manus Cooney and Marla Grossman at IP Watchdog give a great overview.

The House may act on the bill this month.