Archer Aviation Accuses Vertical Aerospace of Copying Air Taxi Designs

Archer has initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against Vertical, claiming that the design of Vertical’s Valo aircraft is a replica of Archer’s Midnight model. Archer filed the lawsuit in the US District Court Eastern District of Texas, accusing Vertical Aerospace of copying the Midnight design for its Valo aircraft and seeking to prevent Vertical from using these designs along with others that Archer claims have been infringed. Archer emphasizes that Vertical improperly gained a competitive edge by capitalizing on Archer’s investments and innovations. Both Archer’s Midnight and Vertical’s Valo are electric air taxis with similar specifications, including four-passenger capacity, electric motors, and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Archer’s Chief Strategy and Legal Officer, Eric Lentell, criticized Vertical for replicating their design without the substantial investment Archer has made. Archer has previously secured major orders, such as a $1 billion deal with United Airlines and a production partnership with Stellantis. Vertical Aerospace, founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick, also aims for air readiness certification by 2028 with its Valo aircraft. Archer and Vertical need certification from aviation regulators to proceed with commercial operations, and as they approach certification, legal disputes in the air taxi industry are becoming more frequent. For instance, Wisk Aero sued Archer in 2021 over trade secret theft, which was settled in 2023. Archer is also facing another lawsuit from Joby Aviation, filed in 2025, for alleged corporate espionage and trade secret misappropriation.