Joby Aviation, a Santa Cruz-based company, has initiated legal proceedings against competitor Archer Aviation Inc. and former employee George Kivork, alleging corporate espionage. The lawsuit, filed in March 2026, claims that Kivork downloaded a significant number of confidential files just two days prior to his resignation and subsequently shared this information with Archer.
Kivork, who had been employed as Joby’s U.S. state and local policy lead for over four years, accepted a position at Archer, a company also focused on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology. The lawsuit details accusations that Kivork not only accessed sensitive business strategies and technical data but also added his personal email as an “owner” of Joby’s Google Drive files. This act allegedly provided him access to updated information after his departure.
Joby claims that the confidential information was used by Archer to undermine an exclusive agreement the company had secured with a real estate developer earlier in the year. This agreement was intended to facilitate the design, construction, and operation of skydecks at the developer’s properties, preventing any similar arrangements in the market for a specified period. Just weeks after Kivork’s resignation, Joby asserts that the developer informed them of Archer’s approach with an offer that referenced confidential terms from Joby’s agreement.
According to the lawsuit, the developer believed the details had been disclosed by Kivork, leading to the termination of their partnership with Joby due to alleged breaches of confidentiality. Following this development, Joby undertook a forensic investigation of Kivork’s Joby devices, which purportedly confirmed that he had downloaded sensitive files and forwarded them to his personal email.
Joby argues that, without the illicitly accessed information, Archer would have faced substantial challenges in crafting an agreement with the developer. The lawsuit claims that Archer’s offer was specifically designed to counteract Joby’s terms, thus constituting unfair competition.
Joby seeks damages and a court order to prevent Archer from utilizing the allegedly stolen data. The complaint characterizes the situation as “corporate espionage, planned and premeditated.” It also highlights that Kivork had previously signed a proprietary information and inventions agreement, which prohibited him from sharing Joby’s confidential information or engaging in competitive activities.
In addition to the allegations against Kivork for breach of contract and fiduciary duty, Joby holds Archer accountable for inducement of breach of contract and tortious interference with both existing and prospective economic advantage. Joby is demanding a jury trial where applicable.
Despite the serious allegations, both Archer and Kivork have denied any wrongdoing. Kivork has reportedly threatened to delete the files rather than return them to Joby, adding another layer of complexity to the legal battle. A case management conference involving the parties and the presiding judge is set for March 2026.
Founded in 2009, Joby Aviation has focused on pioneering eVTOL technology, collaborating with organizations such as NASA and receiving airworthiness approval from the U.S. Air Force. Archer, established in 2018 and headquartered in San Jose, is a notable competitor in this emerging sector. The legal landscape surrounding both companies has previously been contentious, with Archer facing lawsuits over misrepresentation and theft of trade secrets in the past.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the intensifying competition within the eVTOL industry, where intellectual property and proprietary information are paramount to maintaining a competitive edge.
