A federal jury last week found that Joby Aviation breached a mutual nondisclosure agreement (NDA) and willfully misappropriated trade secrets, marking the latest legal development in the world of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturing. The sector has seen several high-profile legal complaints in the past few years, with some still active.
According to a verdict filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the jury awarded Aerosonic—which sold air data probes to Joby in 2022 after both companies signed the NDA in 2021—about $116.9 million. Aerosonic alleged that Joby used its trade secrets and proprietary information to design and build its own probes following the sale.
