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https://www.space.com/artemis-sls-boeing-intellectual-property-lawsuitA federal lawsuit has been brought against Boeing accusing the aerospace giant of intellectual property (IP) theft, conspiracy and misuse of critical components involved in assembling NASA's Artemis moon rocket.
The complaint was filed in a Seattle, Washington federal court on Wednesday (June 7) and attests that Boeing's attempted replication of Colorado-based Wilson Aerospace's technology was the cause of leaks aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and the source of last year's hydrogen leaks during repeated attempts to fuel and launch NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for its Artemis 1 mission. The full complaint can be read online here.
In a press statement, Wilson Aerospace president and founder David Wilson, Jr., added that "Boeing has not only stolen our intellectual property and damaged our company's reputation but has used the technology incorrectly and at the expense of astronauts' safety, which is beyond despicable."
Some pretty serious charges.Wilson’s complaint alleges that its tools — used for NASA projects including the International Space Station and its Space Launch Systems moon rocket — helped Boeing win billions in contract awards and fees from the government. Wilson also alleges that the counterfeit version of the tools that Boeing made led to leaks on the ISS and the SLS — and “put lives at risk,” including the lives of astronauts.
A Boeing spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC that Wilson’s “lawsuit is rife with inaccuracies and omissions.”
The federal lawsuit alleges that Boeing misappropriated trade secrets and intellectual property belonging to Wilson Aerospace, a company specializing in aerospace technology. Specifically, Wilson Aerospace claims that Boeing used proprietary information without authorization in the development of certain aerospace technologies.
The lawsuit centers around specific tools and technologies developed by Wilson Aerospace, which are used in the assembly and maintenance of aerospace components. These include specialized torque tools and other precision instruments that are critical for aerospace engineering and manufacturing processes.
If Boeing loses the lawsuit, the company could face significant financial penalties, including damages and potentially ongoing royalties for the use of the disputed technologies. Additionally, Boeing might be required to cease using the proprietary technologies in question, which could disrupt their operations and lead to further financial and reputational damage.
Boeing has denied the allegations, stating that they have not misappropriated any trade secrets or intellectual property from Wilson Aerospace. The company asserts that all technologies and tools in question were either independently developed or obtained through legitimate means. Boeing is preparing to defend itself vigorously in court.
The lawsuit could have broad implications for the aerospace industry, particularly in how companies manage and protect their intellectual property. A ruling in favor of Wilson Aerospace could lead to increased scrutiny and more stringent measures for safeguarding proprietary technologies. It could also encourage other companies to pursue legal action if they believe their intellectual property has been misused, potentially leading to a wave of similar lawsuits within the industry.