Cross-posted from AOPA Forums
For those new to this topic, this thread is intended to provide resources to assist in educating folks and facilitate community action. At issue is a patent assertion by the folks at FlightPrep against several online flight planning providers. RunwayFinder has been forced to shut down their operations because of possible patent infringement and several others were forced to shut down temporarily or sign license agreements under NDA. At issue is whether the patent is valid as obvious prior art and whether FlightPrep is stifling innovation and bullying small free flight planning providers with the threat of protracted legal battles.
Information
1. Runwafinder speaks out
2. FlightPrep defends itself
3. Aeronews describes threats made over FlightPrep coverage
4. Flightaware claims no patent infringment
5. AOPA/Jepessen refuse to respond to FlightPrep
6. AvWeb weighs in
7. Electronic Frontier Foundation weighs in
8. EAA weighs in
9. More from the EAA
10. A copy of the court summons
There are also reports that FlightPrep has deleted the overwhelming negative comments on it's Facebook page, left the few positive comments, and suspended commenting.
Action
1. Donate to the RunwayFinder defense fund
2. Sign the boycott petition
3. Email your thoughts to FlightPrep at sales@flightprep.com
For those new to this topic, this thread is intended to provide resources to assist in educating folks and facilitate community action. At issue is a patent assertion by the folks at FlightPrep against several online flight planning providers. RunwayFinder has been forced to shut down their operations because of possible patent infringement and several others were forced to shut down temporarily or sign license agreements under NDA. At issue is whether the patent is valid as obvious prior art and whether FlightPrep is stifling innovation and bullying small free flight planning providers with the threat of protracted legal battles.
Information
1. Runwafinder speaks out
2. FlightPrep defends itself
3. Aeronews describes threats made over FlightPrep coverage
4. Flightaware claims no patent infringment
5. AOPA/Jepessen refuse to respond to FlightPrep
6. AvWeb weighs in
7. Electronic Frontier Foundation weighs in
8. EAA weighs in
9. More from the EAA
10. A copy of the court summons
There are also reports that FlightPrep has deleted the overwhelming negative comments on it's Facebook page, left the few positive comments, and suspended commenting.
Action
1. Donate to the RunwayFinder defense fund
2. Sign the boycott petition
3. Email your thoughts to FlightPrep at sales@flightprep.com
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