Boeing’s $72m Trade Secret Misuse Destroyed Competitive Edge

August 25. Court finds Boeing interfered with electric plane startup Zunum and their misuse of Zunum’s confidential information destroyed Zunum’s competitive edge.

It’s been to appeal twice now and it’s now 2:1 in favour of Zunum.

It’s a salutatory lesson for the small guy.

‘HEY, WE ARE THINKING OF BUYING YOU, SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT’

Innovative electric plane startup does something good and the big incumbent wants a piece.

Startup fails and big guy gets the cake.

The appeals court found that Zunum introduced substantial evidence at trial that could lead the jury to conclude Boeing had interfered with the startup’s business prospects and that the jet-maker had discussed using Zunum’s information for its own hybrid electric plane project.

ZUNUM ALLEGED THAT BOEING COPIED THE STARTUP’S PLANS, DESIGNS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR ITS OWN HYBRID ELECTRIC PROJECT.

In 2020, Zunum sued Boeing and accused its former investment partner of a “targeted and coordinated campaign” to access the startup’s proprietary information, intellectual property and trade secrets.

I am sure there will be another appeal.

Would you believe the wife of the judge in the last appeal actually bought Boeing stock part-way through the trial?

Trade Secrets do have teeth and can be sharp enough for the small guy.

WHEN WILL YOU START YOUR TRADE SECRETS PROGRAMME?