The rivalry is heating up. Electric air taxi firm Joby Aviation (JOBY) filed a new trade secret lawsuit in California state court this week. The complaint targets Archer Aviation (ACHR) and focuses on a recent hire who once worked at Joby. The case adds fresh legal pressure in a year when both firms aim to move closer to commercial flight.
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Meanwhile, JOBY shares rose by over 60% in 2025, while ACHR shares fluctuated, losing over 25% during the same period.
Joby Claims and Archer’s Response
Joby says a former staff member left the firm in July and later joined Archer. Joby says he took files that held details on its plans, deal terms, and aircraft traits. Joby also says a review of digital records found that he sent Joby files to a personal inbox and changed access controls for many more files.
As a result, Joby says Archer used this data in an August push to land work with a real estate group that had held talks with Joby. The firm says the group told Joby that Archer knew parts of the Joby deal, which raised new concerns. Joby seeks cash relief and a court order that would block Archer from using the data. A hearing is set for March 20, 2026, which adds a clear date for the next step in the case.
Archer pushed back on each point. In the company’s 8-K filing, it stated it will “dispute the allegations in the complaint and intends to vigorously defend itself.” Archer also said the staff hire did not share any Joby files. Archer said Joby is trying to gain an edge through a court case rather than through open competition. The firm said it will stay focused on its plan for flight service.
What It Means for Investors
Both Joby and Archer are racing to bring electric air taxis to city routes. Each firm seeks to move through tests and gain final flight sign-off. Because of that, investors often track risks that could slow this path. This case may add near-term noise for Archer since trade secret suits can raise legal costs and can lift short-term stock swings.
Even so, these allegations do not point to new hurdles for flight tests or aircraft build plans. The filing also does not link the claims to steps that would halt key work at Archer. As a result, the core launch goals for each firm still rest on progress with tests, safety checks, and early partner deals.
Investors can watch for new court filings and also track how each firm guides on spending and progress. The next court date in 2026 may shape the legal path, yet near-term stock action will likely hinge on test news, market tone, and fresh views from analysts.
We used TipRanks’ Comparison Tool to compare both companies in detail and get a clear look at how they stack up.
