UPDATE: Joby Aviation has just filed a lawsuit against competitor Archer Aviation and former employee George Kivork, alleging serious corporate espionage. The lawsuit, lodged in Santa Cruz, reveals alarming claims that Kivork downloaded confidential files just two days before resigning to join Archer.
Joby alleges that Kivork, who was the company’s U.S. state and local policy lead for over four years, accessed sensitive business strategies and technical information before leaving. This information was allegedly used by Archer to undermine a critical, exclusive partnership Joby had with a real estate developer. The stakes are high, with Joby seeking damages and a court order to prevent Archer from using the stolen data.
URGENT: According to Joby’s complaint, Kivork’s actions were “planned and premeditated,” suggesting a calculated move to benefit Archer at Joby’s expense. Just weeks before the public announcement of Joby’s partnership, the developer informed Joby that Archer had approached them with specific terms that Joby believed were confidential. This led to the termination of Joby’s agreement, severely impacting their operational plans.
Joby’s investigation into the matter uncovered that Kivork had added his personal email address to Joby’s Google Drive files, enabling him continued access to sensitive information post-employment. The company claims that Archer has already exploited this information to craft an offer specifically designed to compete against Joby’s exclusive agreement.
The lawsuit comes amid a backdrop of legal troubles for Archer, which has faced accusations of misrepresentation and trade secret theft in the past. Joby’s complaint details multiple breaches of contract, fiduciary duty, and unfair competition, painting a picture of a tense rivalry in the electric vertical take-off and landing aviation sector.
Kivork, who began his tenure at Joby in 2021, signed agreements to protect Joby’s proprietary information but allegedly violated these terms by downloading and transferring confidential data. The lawsuit highlights the potential harm to Joby’s reputation and market position, claiming that the actions of Archer and Kivork could cause “irreparable damage.”
WHAT’S NEXT: A case management conference is scheduled for March 2026, where the allegations will be further explored. Joby is demanding a jury trial and has vowed to take all necessary legal steps to protect its interests. Both Archer and Kivork have denied wrongdoing, with Kivork reportedly threatening to delete the files rather than return them to Joby.
This urgent lawsuit underscores the fierce competition in the aviation technology sector and raises critical questions about corporate ethics and data security. As Joby seeks to safeguard its innovations, the outcome of this case could set significant precedents for the industry. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
