DeGette And Farenthold Introduce The PACES Act

WASHINGTON –U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO1) and Blake Farenthold (R-TX27) introduced H.R. 3736, the Protecting Advance Communications for Emergency Services Act (PACES) Act. The PACES Act is a targeted and limited fix that addresses the growing trend of harmful patent litigation by so-called "Patent Trolls." Patent Trolls target cell phone carriers that provide 9-1-1 emergency services to homeland security, public safety, and law enforcement personnel.

Under this legislation, lawsuits alleging infringement that are brought against wireless carriers or voice-over-IP providers over their 9-1-1 services would be required to be heard in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. This bill would provide these carriers – who are required to provide these services – with protection from forced settlements or costly litigation battles.

"Countless industries and companies throughout the country face abusive and frivolous patent litigation that ends up impacting many services, including public safety," said DeGette. "This bi-partisan effort is a targeted approach to dealing with the serious problem patent trolls present by protecting carriers who provide vital public safety services. At no cost for the American taxpayer, this legislation will also help cell phone carriers to put in place emerging technologies for emergency services without fearing additional legal threats."

"Patent trolls have become increasingly aggressive and harmful, even targeting cell phone carriers that provide 9-1-1 emergency services to our law enforcement and first responders," said Congressman Farenthold. "Our bill gives protection to those carriers so they can carry out the emergency services they are required to provide, and not have to worry about frivolous legal battles. I'm delighted to work with Representative DeGette in a bipartisan manner on this important legislation."

The full text of the legislation can be found here.