Delta Pilot Sues Airline Over Alleged App Infringement
Joe Cortez July 16, 2021
A Delta Air Lines pilot is seeking over $1 billion in restitution from his airline over an accused case of stealing an app idea. The aviator claims he pitched an idea for a crew communication app to the Atlanta-based carrier, only for the company to take the technology and make their own version.
A Delta Air Lines captain is suing his airline for over $1 billion in damages, after he claims the carrier stole his app idea for crew messaging. Bloomberg reports Craig Alexander is taking the Atlanta-based airline to Georgia state court over the alleged theft of his idea, QrewLive.
Alexander Pitched Idea to Delta, Allegedly Stole Idea for New App
Alexander is an experienced captain with Delta, serving with the airline for 11 years and qualified on the Boeing 757. In his lawsuit, he is accusing the airline, chief executive Ed Bastian, chief information officer Rahul Samant and other executives of stealing his idea.
According to Alexander’s account, he spent around $100,000 to develop a new app which would easily facilitate communications among crewmembers. The goal of the app was to help flight crews to connect when flight schedules were disrupted, leading to better organization.
He claims he ultimately pitched the idea to Delta and had productive meetings with airline leadership. After two years of development, Alexander says the airline declined to use his idea. Later on, Alexander claims the airline launched their own version of QrewLive. Alexander’s attorneys say the airline stole the idea “like a thief in the night.”
The $1 billion lawsuit value is based on the operational savings the app has given Delta, along with the alleged promises that as Alexander spent his own time and resources in development, the airline would purchase it from him as if he were an outside company. Delta has not publicly commented on the litigation.
Airline Communications Remain an Issue as Irregular Operations Block Recovery
Being able to effectively communicate with employees remains as major issue for airlines, as staffing problems have become an issue in recovery. Both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines were forced to cancel part of their schedules in part to a lack of employees and weather issues.
This looks like it ultimately comes down to a dispute about MONEY. A rich corporation vs an individual who hopes to make millions on hos idea. Since no one’s life is being threatened, it will eventually be resolved by the proper amount of MONEY. Some lawyer is going to get rich in the end. Somehow I can’t help but think the US taxpayer will somehow end up paying a part of this.
Unless you obtained a patent of the DESIGN IDEA and PROCESS etc. Then you arr out of luck. You might get lucky and win with a sympathetic jury and a couple of Bad Defendent Lawyers. But just saying or showing a Concept to someone doesnt mean they cant develop their OWN Version of your idea. Check with a Specialized Attornney before you do anything like this. Spending a few hundred dolars then could save you a Billion in the end (your Number)
Unless you have patent protection you have no protection. If Delta takes the idea and changes it just a little bit then Delta can then claim it to be their own. I'm entirely the reason why there is an Amazon Prime Air because I pitched this idea to my employer ten years ago. Am I going to go after my airline for it? Hell no! Why? Because it was for the betterment of our company and society at large, not just myself. Get over yourself!
@DeltaFlyer123 I think that generally applies when product development is part of the job. That wasn't the case here. I'm not betting the mortgage on it, but there's a difference for sure.
May he win and win big. He has an uphill battle trying to beat Delta in court in Georgia. Corrupt as it gets.