> This is pretty interesting stuff. For example, I wasn't aware of the "jurisdiction race" that happened when new patent were issued. It puts into context some of the changes at least.

There's still plenty of drama. For example, a few years back, there was quite a fuss over a simple change to the filing date of something on the docket in East Texas:

http://thepriorart.typepad.com/the_prior_art/2009/09/troll-t...

That inventor behind all that mess was quite an interesting fellow, too:

http://thepriorart.typepad.com/the_prior_art/patent_troll_tr...