A federal court jury in Seattle has ruled against Boeing in a lawsuit filed by Zunum, an electric airplane startup. Zunum claimed that Boeing stole its technology and hindered its business development. The jury awarded $81 million in damages, with the option for the judge to triple that amount. Boeing was found to have misappropriated Zunum’s trade secrets and breached its contract with the startup. The jury determined that Boeing’s actions were “willful and malicious,” potentially leading to triple damages. Boeing argued that Zunum’s failure was due to the challenges faced by a typical startup. The final outcome of the case may take years to resolve. Despite the verdict, Boeing has not publicly announced any plans for a hybrid-electric airplane. The judge will determine the exact damages to be awarded, and Boeing plans to appeal the decision.
