Business & Finance
Startup founder alleges Spirit Airlines auctioned proprietary software data to Google
Springshot received no notice before bankrupt Spirit auctioned operational data reportedly won by Google, Ars Technica reports.
The short version
- Google reportedly won a bankruptcy auction to buy operational data from Spirit Airlines.[Ars Technica]
- Springshot founder Doug Kreuzkamp alleges the dataset improperly incorporates his startup's proprietary data and intellectual property.[Ars Technica]
- Springshot powered the airline's technology stack for three years until Spirit's final flight.[Ars Technica]
- It remains unconfirmed whether Springshot's intellectual property was included in the final auctioned data assets.[Ars Technica]
Key facts
- Google reportedly won an auction to acquire operational data from Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy proceedings.[Ars Technica]
- Springshot powered the technology stack for Spirit Airlines for three years through its final flight.[Ars Technica]
- Doug Kreuzkamp founded Springshot in 2011 to build an airport efficiency and logistics platform.[Ars Technica]
- Springshot alleges it received no notification before Spirit prepared to auction off the dataset.[Ars Technica]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the auctioned Spirit Airlines dataset actually contains proprietary data or intellectual property owned by Springshot.[Ars Technica]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.