When it comes to patent reform, the U.S. Supreme Court is a surer bet than Congress — at least in producing results.

Consider this: Last week the Senate Judiciary Committee reported out of committee comprehensive patent reform legislation for the third time since 2008. Congressional efforts to reform the patent system actually began in 2005, according to the committee. If enacted, the latest proposal (S. 23) would make the first significant changes in the system in six decades.