Runway Finder Shutting Down

[MacNab]

FYI, for you folks who are on Facebook. Dave Parsons created a Facebook page for RunwayFinder. It would be nice if more people would click 'like' to show your support for his great website and post a note of encouragement.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Runway...38364916218984

[N42AH]

AVwWebs interview

FlightPrep's patent on online flight planning isn't perfect, but it doesn't have to be to fend off challenges. IFR editor and Aviation Consumer contributor Jeff Van West spoke with patent attorney and pilot Lionel Lavenue about how patents are generally a good thing and how difficult it might be for those fighting this one to win.

http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast...kw=RelatedBlog

[Walt]

They may win the battle, but I think they are losing the war
Check out the latest on Aero-News:
http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav....0ce7&Dynamic=1

[eric_marsh]

I just reviewed both of the links in the prior two posts and found them interesting. What I still wonder is why these services are not being offered from European companies, as Europe does not recognize software patents.

[Snowflake]

Or why the original site owners didn't just get them hosted on a European site. I guess if the site is still ultimately run by someone in the US, that person is still someone you can attack. They'd have to sell the entire package to someone in Europe, and give up any control to make that work.

Even then, maybe they could be sued for "aiding and abetting" or something like that. :P

[eric_marsh]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Or why the original site owners didn't just get them hosted on a European site. I guess if the site is still ultimately run by someone in the US, that person is still someone you can attack. They'd have to sell the entire package to someone in Europe, and give up any control to make that work.

Even then, maybe they could be sued for "aiding and abetting" or something like that. :P

If I were in that boat and did not expect my software to make me any money I'd just open source it. Give it to the world and let the world decide what to do with it.

Flight prep's lawyers would stay fat chasing each and every node that would pop up.

[nauga]

Mods: Sorry for the brief diversion.

Originally Posted by BrentHumphreys

If anyone still harbored a thought that FlightPrep was acting reaonably. Read this.

I'm on Runway Finder's side in all this but before this part of it goes too far you owe it to yourself to independently verify Jim Campbell's (ANN's 'editor') claims of persecution. This isn't the first song at that concert.

Cards on the table: Campbell unsuccessfully sued me and 14 others several years ago. Details are out there for your reading pleasure. Suffice it to say that if Campbell came in soaking wet and told me it was raining I'd still check the weather before grabbing an umbrella. He's not helping RF's case.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by nauga

I'm on Runway Finder's side in all this but before this part of it goes too far you owe it to yourself to independently verify Jim Campbell's (ANN's 'editor') claims of persecution. This isn't the first song at that concert.

Google "James "Captain Zoom" Campbell" and read some history.


John Clark ATP, CFI
FAA FAAST Team Member
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[kevinh]

Apropos of our discussion, I just saw this post on reddit by industry leader John Dvorak: why software patents have got to go. (Btw: there is a small aviation subreddit)

[jjconstant]

There was an interview in AvWeb. Basically FlightPerp (oops) Prep is trying to publicly justify its actions against Runway Finder by saying that not dropping the lawsuit was the only way to get Runway Finder to the table. He is admitting to using the legal system as an extortion tool. Very common but in my book very immoral. Strong-arming someone into negotiations they don't want to engage in is one more example of "might is right". Just because it works doesn't mean people will see it as O.K.

Jeremy

extortion: The obtaining of property from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right.