Apple hit with $5.7 billion verdict over iPhone and Apple Watch haptic technology

### Jury Orders Apple to Pay $5.7 Billion in Taction Haptic Patent Dispute

A U.S. jury has ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion to San Diego-based Taction after finding that technology used to produce haptic feedback in devices including iPhones and Apple Watches infringed two Taction patents.

The verdict, issued Friday, centers on Apple’s Taptic Engine, the technology responsible for the taps, vibrations and other tactile sensations users experience while interacting with Apple devices. The award has been described as the largest patent infringement verdict in the United States to date.

Apple said it disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal. The company maintains that its Taptic Engine operates differently from the technology covered by Taction’s patents.

“Apple’s Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology,” Apple said in a statement, adding that the company does not use Taction’s patented technology.

Taction welcomed the jury’s decision. Attorney Lance Yang said the company was pleased that jurors ruled in its favor and recognized what it described as its patent rights.

Taction filed the lawsuit against Apple in 2021, accusing the technology giant of using its patented haptic technology without authorization. The San Diego company develops tactile-feedback technology for a range of consumer products, including headphones and gaming headsets.

Apple has consistently denied the infringement allegations and argued that Taction’s patents were invalid.

The dispute has already gone through several stages of litigation. In 2023, a federal judge in San Diego ruled in Apple’s favor, finding that the company had not infringed Taction’s patents.

The case was later revived by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, allowing Taction’s claims to proceed and ultimately leading to the latest jury trial.

The new verdict represents a significant financial exposure for Apple, although the final outcome could change as the company pursues its appeal. Patent cases can also involve additional proceedings over damages, legal findings and the enforceability of the underlying patents.

The dispute focuses on technology that is deeply integrated into Apple’s hardware ecosystem. The Taptic Engine provides tactile responses across products such as the iPhone and Apple Watch, allowing users to receive physical feedback when interacting with software and hardware features.

For Taction, the verdict represents a major validation of its long-running patent claims. For Apple, the planned appeal means the company will continue challenging both the infringement finding and the resulting damages award.

The case could ultimately have implications beyond the current payment dispute if the patents remain enforceable and are found to cover technologies used across Apple’s product lineup. However, the practical impact will depend on the outcome of the appeals process and any subsequent court proceedings.