Court Orders Apple to Pay $5.72 Billion for Infringing Haptic Technology Patents
Technology
A federal jury in San Diego found Apple liable for infringing two Taction Technology patents related to haptic technology. The jury awarded $5,721,961,750 in damages but found that the infringement was not willful.
The dispute concerns Apple’s Taptic Engine, which provides vibration-based haptic feedback in devices including the iPhone and Apple Watch. Taction Technology sued Apple in 2021, alleging that the company used its patented technology without a license. The case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
During the September 2026 trial, jurors found Apple had infringed claims from U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. At the same time, they rejected a finding that the infringement had been willful.
A federal judge had ruled in Apple’s favor in 2023, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned that decision in 2025 and sent the case back for further proceedings. The dispute subsequently proceeded to a new trial.
Apple disputed the verdict. The company said its Taptic Engine is “fundamentally different” from Taction’s technology and maintained that it does not use Taction’s technology. Apple said it would appeal the decision. Taction, meanwhile, welcomed the verdict and said it vindicated the company’s patent rights.
During the September 2026 trial, jurors found Apple had infringed claims from U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. At the same time, they rejected a finding that the infringement had been willful.
A federal judge had ruled in Apple’s favor in 2023, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned that decision in 2025 and sent the case back for further proceedings. The dispute subsequently proceeded to a new trial.
Apple disputed the verdict. The company said its Taptic Engine is “fundamentally different” from Taction’s technology and maintained that it does not use Taction’s technology. Apple said it would appeal the decision. Taction, meanwhile, welcomed the verdict and said it vindicated the company’s patent rights.
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