Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Archer Aviation’s attorneys have filed another brief aimed at blocking Wisk Aero’s motion for a preliminary injunction regarding Wisk's&nbsp;allegations that the rival eVTOL aircraft developer stole its trade secrets. That motion is due to be heard by judge William Orrick in the federal court for the Northern District of California on July 21.
Archer's new brief, filed late on July 19, pushes back against a July 14 &nbsp;one from Wisk. In that brief, Wisk&nbsp;argued that documents obtained through the disclosure process and via depositions prove that Archer and various employees misappropriated trade secrets for its new eVTOL design “on a massive scale.” Archer's July 19 response reiterates its insistence that it has not used or had access to trade secrets allegedly misappropriated by former Wisk employees.
The Archer legal team forcefully refuted Wisk's allegations based on what it says has been an “extensive, expedited discovery process.” It accuses Wisk of making “knowingly false” accusations and&nbsp;urges&nbsp;the judge to rule against the preliminary injunction motion, which it says amounts to a new motion for injunctive relief on the basis that Wisk has not proven any “established imminent, irreparable harm.” 
According to Archer, Wisk’s legal team is now downplaying earlier groundless allegations based on factors such as the speed at which Archer has developed its Maker eVTOL demonstrator and apparent similarities with Wisk’s patent application for a “sixth-generation” eVTOL design. 
“The filing makes it clear that Wisk has provided no evidence whatsoever—not a single document, not a single witness—that Archer ever received or used any Wisk trade secret, because, in fact, Archer never has,” Archer&nbsp;said in a written statement. “Instead, Wisk continues to level grave charges of massive theft based entirely on conspiracy theories and outright misrepresentations of the actual record.”
The redacted version of the <a href="https://prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com/archerv2/7443ae5e-6695-45b8-9da8-3d664da6942c_REDACTED+Filed+Version+of+Sur-Reply.pdf">brief posted online</a> by Archer does provide some fresh insights into testimony gathered through the pre-trial discovery process. These include some details regarding propulsion system technology for the rival eVTOL programs.
"Faced with mounting evidence of widespread IP theft, Archer has still offered no clear defense or credible explanation of its aircraft development timeline," said a spokesman for Wisk. "Their only response has been a series of shifting narratives to try to discredit Wisk, a recognized decade-long industry leader. Archer's baseless PR attacks don't change the facts."
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Charles Alcock

On July 21, the federal court for the Northern District of California is due to hear a preliminary injunction motion by Wisk Aero over its allegations that rival Archer stole trade secrets for its Maker eVTOL design. (Image: Archer)

Archer Attorneys File New Brief Rebutting Wisk Trade Secret Theft Allegations

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