Google Video has posted an excellent lecture by Daniel Ravicher that I highly recommend watching. It's a patent lawyers view of why the patent system is not working towards the public good, and includes many trenchant observations. I was unaware that his organization existed, but I will definitely be looking into it and seeing if it's something to which I can donate.

Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0chez_Jf5A