Ryanair begins legal proceedings against website firm

RYANAIR began legal proceedings in the High Court yesterday against a company which operates websites offering search and booking facilities for low-cost flights alleging “screen-scraping” of information from the airline’s websites for use on the other company’s sites.

The case is being taken against Bravofly Ltd of Priory Hall, Stillorgan, Dublin.

Martin Hayden, counsel for Ryanair told Mr Justice Brian McGovern that Bravofly operate an internet searching and booking facility for low fare flights as well as complementary services such as accommodation reservation and car hire. It operated several websites including sites geared towards specific countries.

Ryanair claim the alleged “screen-scraping” copy and extracting by Bravofly breaches the provisions of the Trademarks Act and the Copyright and Related Rights Act and breach the conditions for accessing the Ryanair website.

It claims Bravofly, without permission from Ryanair, has offered detailed information on Ryanair flight services and had also used the airline’s name and harp logo in presenting that information.

Michael Howard, counsel for Bravofly, submitted they were not guilty of any wrongful acts or omissions as alleged. He pointed out that the airline worked with the Bravofly/Volagratis business model it now complains about since well before his clients commenced operations in June 2007.

No adverse signal was received from the airline until February 2008 and there had been an ongoing relationship with regular communication with the airline, Mr Howard submitted.

The hearing continues today.