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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 against Boeing is based on allegations of intellectual property (IP) theft by Wilson Aerospace. Wilson Aerospace claims that Boeing used their patented technology without permission or compensation.
IP, or intellectual property, is at the center of this lawsuit. Wilson Aerospace claims that their IP was used by Boeing without proper authorization, which is a violation of their rights as the patent holder.
According to Wilson Aerospace, Boeing had access to their patented technology through a joint project between the two companies. Wilson Aerospace claims that Boeing used this opportunity to steal and use their IP without proper consent or compensation.
If Boeing is found guilty of IP theft in this federal lawsuit, they could face significant financial penalties and damages to be paid to Wilson Aerospace. They may also be required to cease using the allegedly stolen IP and potentially face legal action from other companies affected by their actions.
The federal lawsuit against Boeing regarding IP of Wilson Aerospace is currently ongoing. The court will hear arguments and review evidence from both parties before making a decision on the outcome of the case. It is not yet clear when a final ruling will be made.