A US appeals court has revived an $81 million damages award against Boeing, favoring Zunum Aero, a now-defunct hybrid-electric aircraft startup that once collaborated with the aerospace titan. Zunum had accused Boeing of swiping trade secrets and violating their agreement, leading to a prolonged legal tussle. In 2024, a Seattle jury sided with Zunum, granting them millions in damages, but a federal judge later overturned this decision. With the appeals court’s recent ruling, the case is set to return to the district court under a new judge’s oversight. Zunum Aero largely shut down its operations and let go of its staff back in 2019.
The Seattle jury initially determined that Boeing had misused Zunum Aero’s trade secrets and breached their contract. They awarded $67.08 million for these violations, $14.15 million for unjust enrichment, and $11.56 million for “tortious interference.” However, Judge James L. Robart later nullified this verdict, citing insufficient evidence of trade secret theft. On August 14, 2025, a three-judge panel from the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously overturned Robart’s decision, reinstating the damages. The appeals court noted that Zunum had provided compelling evidence of Boeing’s interference with its business prospects and misuse of its information for developing its own hybrid-electric aircraft. Additionally, it was revealed that Judge Robart’s wife had purchased Boeing stock during the litigation, prompting the case to be reassigned to a new judge.
Vincent Levy, representing Zunum Aero, praised the appeals court’s decision, stating, “The latest ruling confirms what we’ve asserted all along — that Zunum had a groundbreaking opportunity to transform air travel, which Boeing unjustly seized. This decision fully restores the jury’s verdict, validating Zunum’s relentless efforts to safeguard its innovative technology.” The Seattle jury had also found that Boeing meddled with Zunum’s negotiations with potential investor Safran, a finding upheld by the appeals court.
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Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
