Ninth Circuit Denies Boeing's Rehearing Request in $72M Trade Secret Dispute

A Ninth Circuit panel has denied Boeing's request for a rehearing of its August 2025 decision to uphold a $72 million jury verdict against the aerospace giant in a trade secret dispute with electric jet startup Zunum Aero Inc.

The original decision reinstated a $72 million award for Zunum Aero, which had accused Boeing of stealing trade secrets related to its electric jet project. The panel rejected Boeing's argument that the case belongs in the Federal Circuit due to patent counterclaims involved.

Boeing had sought a rehearing of the decision, citing new evidence and arguing that the case should be transferred to the Federal Circuit. However, the Ninth Circuit panel declined to revisit its earlier ruling, upholding the original verdict.