Gogo has won a major legal reprieve after the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware overturned SmartSky Networks’ $22.7 million jury damages award in a patent dispute over business aviation connectivity. The ruling also rejected SmartSky’s requests for enhanced damages, ongoing royalties and interest, removing a substantial financial liability for the in-flight Wi-Fi provider while leaving the case open to appeal.
The decision, issued on 30 September and disclosed by Gogo on 1 October, came in post-trial motions in SmartSky Networks, LLC v. Gogo Business Aviation, LLC and Gogo Inc. The court found SmartSky’s damages theory was not supported by the evidentiary record and concluded that the company had failed to prove any recoverable damages.
The case centres on SmartSky’s patent claims against Gogo’s business aviation connectivity business, an area where both companies compete for aircraft operators seeking airborne internet service. Gogo has described the ruling as a significant step in resolving the dispute, but the underlying litigation is not finished because SmartSky can still challenge the judgment on appeal.