Independent Promoter Says Red Bull "Stole" His Plans

It would take a certain kind of attitude to step out of the gondola of a weather balloon on the fringe of space with nothing but years of planning, a pressure suit, and a parachute to back you up, but that is exactly what Austrian Felix Baumgartner had been planning as part of the Red Bull Stratos Project. During the freefall, Baumgartner had hoped to become to first skydiver to break the sound barrier, traveling over 760 miles per hour during the 23-mile drop.

Felix Baumgartner File Photo

But a lawsuit has caused plans for the attempt to be shelved. Fox News reports that promoter Daniel Hogan filed the suit in April, saying Red Bull had stolen plans for his "Space Dive", which he says he pitched to the company in 2004.

In a news release on the Red Bull Stratos Project website, the company says "Felix Baumgartner had been scheduled to undertake a stratospheric balloon flight to 120,000 feet and attempt a freefall jump that would, for the first time, reach supersonic speeds as well as deliver valuable scientific data.

"Despite the fact that many other people over the past 50 years have tried to break Colonel (Ret.) Joe Kittinger's record, and that other individuals have sought to work with Red Bull in an attempt to break his record, Mr. Hogan claims to own certain rights to the project and filed a multi million dollar lawsuit earlier this year in a Californian court. Red Bull has acted appropriately in its prior dealings with Mr. Hogan, and will demonstrate this as the case progresses. Due to the lawsuit, we have decided to stop the project until this case has been resolved."

The complaint filed by Hogan indicates that the "daredevil stunt" could be worth as much as $625 million in advertising.

FMI: www.redbullstratos.com