US-based air taxi firm Joby Aviation has initiated legal proceedings against its rival, Archer Aviation, by filing a lawsuit in a state court located in Santa Cruz, California. The lawsuit alleges that George Kivork, a former employee of Joby Aviation, pilfered confidential data, encompassing business strategies, terms with partners, and aircraft specifications, when he left the company. Subsequently, it is claimed that he utilized this stolen information to disrupt Joby's exclusive partnerships with certain clients. Joby Aviation is demanding financial restitution and has also petitioned the court for an injunction to bar Archer Aviation from leveraging the related confidential information. In response, Eric Lentell, Archer's Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, asserted that the company has not entered into any agreements with the developers mentioned in the lawsuit. He further emphasized that Kivork did not bring any confidential information from Joby Aviation when he joined Archer. The court hearing for this case is set to take place on March 20, 2026.