Rivian to face trial in Tesla trade secrets theft case, judge says

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Judge Theodore C. Zayner of the Santa Clara County Superior Court tentatively denied Rivian’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating Tesla presented sufficient evidence for a trial.

“Tesla’s evidence establishes that some Rivian employees were less thoroughly investigated and not disciplined,” the judge wrote in the tentative order.

A final hearing is set for Wednesday in Santa Clara court.

The legal battle began in 2020 when Tesla filed a lawsuit against Rivian accusing it of an alarming pattern of poaching employees and misappropriating confidential information.

While Rivian presented evidence of its investigation into the trade thefts case, the judge found it “does not conclusively establish that an investigation was adequate.”

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Workers assemble second-generation R1 vehicles at electric auto maker Rivian's manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, U.S. June 21, 2024.  REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez/File Photo

Rivian has previously denied the allegations.

Tesla and Rivian did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.