Boeing hit with $72m verdict in EV aircraft trade secrets case

Electric aircraft startup Zunum Aero convinced a federal jury in Seattle on Thursday that Boeing owes $72m for stealing its trade secrets to power competing hybrid-electric planes. Jurors agreed with Zunum that Boeing copied Zunum's technology and drove it out of the emerging short-haul electric aircraft market after investing in the company. The jury awarded Zunum about $81.2m total on the trade secrets misappropriation claims and an additional $11.6m for tortious interference. The jury also found that Zunum failed to mitigate about $20.8m in damages, however, reducing the total award to about $72m. At least part of the award could be tripled under trade secrets law. "Boeing respectfully disagrees with the jury's verdict, which is not supported by the law or the facts," the company said in a statement. Boeing said it plans to challenge the judgment. A federal judge earlier this month sided with Boeing on its counterclaims that Zunum breached a contract by failing to repay Boeing $9m in loans plus interest. Scott Danner of Holwell Shuster & Goldberg, lead counsel for Zunum, said they are pleased with the jury verdict. Seattle area startup Zunum was founded in 2013 to make small electric commuter aircraft that can travel up to 1,500 miles. Boeing's venture capital arm invested $5m in Zunum in 2017.<br/>