Joby Aviation Sues Archer Aviation in California Superior Court Over Stolen Trade Secrets Related to Aircraft

Published on November 23, 2025

Joby Aviation, a prominent player in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, has filed a lawsuit against rival Archer Aviation in California Superior Court, accusing the company of corporate espionage. The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this week, claims that Archer obtained sensitive information regarding Joby’s aircraft and strategic operations through the actions of a former employee.

Allegations of Stolen Trade Secrets

According to Joby’s complaint, the alleged theft occurred in July, just two days before George Kivork, Joby’s former U.S. state and local policy lead, resigned from the company. Joby asserts that Kivork downloaded confidential files and forwarded additional sensitive documents to a personal email account. The stolen data is said to have included crucial details about Joby’s exclusive partnership with a real estate developer, as well as confidential information related to the company’s aircraft, business strategies, regulatory plans and site analysis for potential vertiports and airport access.

The Developer’s Termination and Archer’s Involvement

In the lawsuit, Joby claims that this stolen information was later used by Archer Aviation to approach the developer involved in the partnership and propose a more lucrative deal. Joby further alleges that the developer ultimately terminated its agreement with Joby, citing a breach of confidentiality. This breach, according to Joby, was the result of Archer leveraging the confidential information that had been unlawfully obtained by Kivork.

Archer Aviation Denies Wrongdoing

Archer Aviation has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that no confidential information was brought to the company by Kivork. A representative for Archer asserted that the company has conducted thorough forensics during Kivork’s hiring process, which confirmed that no sensitive data was obtained from Joby. Archer’s legal team has also argued that Joby’s lawsuit is an attempt to gain an unfair advantage in the competitive eVTOL market through litigation rather than fair competition.

Archer’s chief legal and strategy officer, Eric Lentell, emphasized that Joby’s claims are based on a misinterpretation of the facts. He stated that no deal was reached between Archer and the developer involved and that Joby’s lawsuit is without merit. Archer’s spokesperson also communicated that the company had kept Joby informed about the forensics process, which showed no evidence of wrongdoing.

Industry Impact and Legal Proceedings

Despite Archer’s defense, Joby remains firm in its allegations, claiming that the stolen information included highly valuable trade secrets related to its aircraft, operations and regulatory strategies. The company’s lawsuit is seeking damages and aims to prevent further misuse of its confidential data. Joby’s complaint argues that Archer’s actions were premeditated and part of a broader effort to gain an unfair competitive edge in the eVTOL market.

The legal proceedings come at a time when both Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are focused on advancing their eVTOL technologies. Both companies are working toward receiving FAA certification for their respective aircraft, which will be critical for their future commercial operations. Joby recently completed a successful first test flight of a hybrid aircraft developed in partnership with defense contractor L3Harris, while Archer has made significant progress with its first FAA-conforming aircraft.

Archer Aviation, for its part, has recently secured several key regional agreements to explore air taxi systems globally, including in Korea and Japan. The company also made headlines earlier this month with its purchase of an L.A. area airport, further strengthening its position in the air mobility space. Both companies are also participating in the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which is a collaborative effort with regional U.S. authorities to promote the nationwide deployment of air taxis.

As the eVTOL industry continues to evolve, the lawsuit between Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation highlights the critical importance of intellectual property and confidential business information. The case is likely to have significant implications for both companies, as well as for the broader aviation industry, as it underscores the value of proprietary information in the highly competitive race to develop next-generation aircraft.

The hearing for the case is scheduled for March 20, 2026 and the outcome of the lawsuit will likely have long-term effects on the future of both Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, as well as the broader electric aviation sector. As this legal battle unfolds, the focus remains on the ongoing efforts of both companies to secure FAA certification and bring their eVTOL aircraft to market, marking a pivotal moment in the future of urban air mobility.

Image- jobyaviation.com