As Archer Aviation Enters a Patent War, Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold the Flying Car Stock?

eVTOL “flying car” stocks have been on edge lately, and this week Archer Aviation (ACHR) grabbed headlines by suing rival Vertical Aerospace (EVTL). Archer filed a patent infringement complaint in Texas, claiming Vertical’s new Valo air taxi unlawfully “illegally copies” design elements and flight-control tech from Archer’s in-development Midnight vehicle. Archer’s CSO laments that the Valo “suddenly mimics many of Midnight’s most distinctive design features,” calling it “a desperate attempt to copy a leader in the sector.” Vertical dismisses the allegations as “without merit” and a distraction from Archer’s own challenges. 

This legal battle comes as the entire eVTOL sector shakes off 2025’s volatility. Some peers like Joby Aviation (JOBY) saw big moves, others struggled, and Archer rides waves of both bullish catalysts and skepticism. Archer briefly spiked last fall after buying Lilium patents and landing the 2028 LA Olympics air-taxi role, but it remains far from commercial revenue. Now its patent lawsuit will test investor conviction anew.