Flying Taxi Judge Keeps Wisk-Archer Trade Secrets Case Alive (1)

Archer Aviation Inc. may have no quick escape from trade-secret theft accusations by rival Wisk Aero LLC as it prepares to go public in the futuristic flying-taxi space.

A San Francisco federal judge on Wednesday tentatively rejected Archer’s request to throw out the more than 50 trade-secret claims in Wisk’s lawsuit accusing Archer of stealing its technology for electric-powered aircraft.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick took no position on the merits of the allegations but reminded lawyers for the companies they “can be attacked with gusto.” The judge said he will finalize his ruling “pretty quickly” and proposed holding a ...