software patents in the wild

I have a software project that I'm working on finishing up that may
include features that have been patented.  Should I worry about this?

Since it seems like people can "patent anything", and have (to the
amusement to many a slashdot user), I get the sense that any
reasonably complicated program will contain "patented" features.
Especially if the idea for the program (or something similar) has been
floating around in public discourse for a while without any
implementation.

If I release the software, should I brace for cease and desist
letters?  Would I be running the risk of a lawsuit?  Is there
something I can do to avoid getting in this kind of trouble (e.g. move
to a far away country and release the code from there)?