There's actually a whole lot more to this patent reform bill than the article lets on. Here is an article listing the proposals:

http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2011/02/patent-reform-act-of...

I'm particularly interested in the new third-party challenge procedures, which would let people submit arguments during patent examination and then oppose patents on any grounds after they issue (for example, you could contest the patent at the Patent Office for being vague; right now you can only do that in court).