Vertical Aerospace said it filed a patent infringement counterclaim against Archer Aviation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The counterclaim alleges that Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft infringes a Vertical patent.
The filing responds to a lawsuit Archer initiated against Vertical in February 2026, alleging that Vertical’s aircraft copied Archer’s design. Vertical is seeking an injunction to prevent further infringement and monetary damages.
Vertical shares rose 2% in premarket trading, while Archer shares edged lower. The dispute highlights the role of intellectual property in the emerging urban air mobility market.