The story begins in 2020, when Tesla accuses its direct competitor Rivian for having orchestrated a vast poaching operation aimed at appropriating its industrial secrets.
The manufacturer led by Elon Musk particularly pointed the finger the strategic recruitment of former Tesla employees, suspected of having taken with them confidential documents on next-generation battery technology.
An accusation that targeted the heart of innovation
Tesla had not chosen the angle of his attack at random. Batteries represent the central element of the competitiveness of electric vehicles. The Californian manufacturer claimed that Rivian had specifically targeted key positions: two recruiters, an EHS manager and a charging network manager. These hires would have allowed Rivian to access information “ highly sensitive » on Tesla battery engineering.
The situation escalated in 2021 when Tesla expanded its complaint. The manufacturer then explicitly accused Rivian of wanting to appropriate the technology of its new generation batteries. A barely veiled reference to Tesla’s 4680 cells, a major innovation intended to revolutionize the autonomy and production of electric vehicles.
Unsuccessful attempts at mediation
The two companies initially attempted to resolve their dispute amicablyoutside the courts. These negotiations were unsuccessful, pushing the case to the California courts last year. Rivian has always strongly denied the accusations, maintaining that it respected ethical rules in its recruitment processes.
The mobility of employees between competitors raises the delicate question of the protection of industrial secrets, particularly in Silicon Valley where turnover is culturally anchored.
An agreement with still unclear contours
The resolution of the conflict comes at a crucial time for both manufacturers. Tesla must notify the court of its request to drop the charges by December 24, following a conditional agreement with Rivian.
Details of the deal remain confidential, but industry experts suggest it could include monitoring mechanisms to ensure no proprietary technology was used.
This case also highlights Tesla’s ambiguous position regarding its patents. If the company claims an open source policy, the reality is more nuanced. Tesla only allows its patented technologies to be used if companies waive any intellectual property claims against it.
- Tesla accused Rivian of stealing its battery technology through poaching of key employees
- The two manufacturers reached an agreement after four years of procedure
- The agreement, the details of which remain confidential, should be formalized before December 24
