Improving software patents

I must confess, I haven't fully wrapped my head around this initiative to 'improve the quality of software patents' yet, and I'm going to read a bit more before shooting off.

In any case, I'm reminded of a sad little story I heard from a friend, who was telling me all about the number of patents he had applied for, and received. When I asked him why he was busy patenting, he replied, "Its a defensive measure. I don't want someone suing me down the line so I patent first". What a sad story. Is this what patent law has come to?