Irrelevant. I don't believe Marathon has filed any patent cases in any districts of Mass.
While there will always be those calling for forms of patent reform, and the system could use an overhaul, Marathon is in a strong position because they own high quality assets, most already proven in the court and having been the subject of numerous settlements and or licenses. Precedents have already been established with respect to many of their IP assets.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-New York, will be introducing legislation next week in response to outrage over the large number of lawsuits filed by so-called "patent trolls." The bill would allow more businesses, including tech startups, to request that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office review the patents asserted against them before the lawsuit continues in court.
This is really a joke. You might find this article of interest regarding it.
I believe the bill as drafted is frankly unconstitutional, and is based on shoddy economic theory that has already been proven false. If it ever did pass, it would actually strengthen Marathon's position, not hurt it.
What will inevitably happen with any patent reform is it will lesson the value of weak patents, but make already strong and issued patents more valuable. The thinning out of the amount of patents issued only makes those quality already issued patents more desirable and valuable, thus playing into the hands of a company like Marathon.
As you know, the idiots that draft our laws fail to fully understand the "law of unintended consequences". Again, read the article I posted above. It will help you with your Vringo investment especially.