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Why would that third party answer honestly? Aside from the possible negative reputation damage, that party is almost certainly prohibited from answering Waymo as part of standard bilateral NDAs executed between partners.

In a suit, at least, they can compel discovery and demand accurate testimony.

Yeah, wasn't thinking of espionage - more like someone at the manufacturer thinking "hmm, these are exactly the same designs... I should make this known... whoops, sent it to the wrong person!"

One might imagine a verbal conversation between google (who already suspect their design has been stolen) and the supplier (who they know is the only company in the world who can make it) saying:

"Ya know that uber design which is the same as ours? Mind accidentally CC'ing johnsmith@google.com instead of johnsmith@uber.com? Since johnsmith used to work for google, it would be an honest mistake, and would give us the evidence we need to take this to court"

I'm sure it was done purposely by someone in that organization who hates Uber too!

You can't act as they have and not have hordes of enemies!