American Airlines has been awarded US$9,4 million (R166,5 million) after a federal jury determined that the website, skiplagged.com, had committed copyright infringement.
The lawsuit, submitted in 2023, (as reported by Travel News), argued that the website violated the airline’s policies, benefitted from disgorgement, committed copyright infringement and committed trademark infringement.
The jury reportedly declined to award any damages for trademark infringement, according to Simple Flying. However, Skiplagged on October 15 was ordered to pay American US$4,7 million (R83 million) for copyright infringement Airlines and another US$4,7 million (R83 million) in disgorgement. Disgorgement is a legal remedy which requires a party who profits from illegal or wrongful acts to give up any profits they made as a result of that illegal or wrongful conduct.
Skiplagged told Business Insider it will continue to conduct business as usual.
“Skiplagged will continue to provide consumers with information on all available routes and fares, including the least expensive airfares available,” said skiplagged CEO, Aktarer Zaman.
“American lost on three of its four claims, and skiplagged remains free to continue its business of showing consumers all flights to help them save money,” he said.