Air taxi maker Joby Aero owes $116.9 million in trade secrets case, US jury says
JOBY•A federal jury awarded Aerosonic nearly $116.9 million after finding Joby Aero breached a confidentiality agreement and willfully misappropriated trade secrets. Joby said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to pursue post-trial and appellate remedies.
1. Jury awards damages
A federal jury in Tampa, Florida, awarded Aerosonic nearly $116.9 million, finding that Joby breached the companies’ non-disclosure agreement and willfully misappropriated trade secrets related to Aerosonic’s air data probes. The jury awarded more than $68 million for the agreement breach and more than $48 million for trade-secret misappropriation, and rejected Joby’s countersuit.
2. Joby plans challenge
Joby said it strongly disagrees with the verdict and intends to pursue all available post-trial and appellate remedies. Aerosonic sued last year, alleging Joby misused its secrets after buying its air data probes and discussing further supply; Joby denied the allegations and claimed Aerosonic sold it defective probes.
