Apple has been hit with a $5.7 billion patent verdict over the technology behind the taps and vibrations users feel on the iPhone and Apple Watch. A US jury found that Apple’s Taptic Engine infringed two patents held by San Diego-based Taction Technology.
The verdict puts one of Apple’s most familiar hardware features at the center of a major patent dispute. Apple disputes the finding and plans to appeal, arguing that its Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from the technology covered by Taction’s patents.
Jury Finds Taptic Engine Infringed Two Patents
Taction’s patents cover technology used to create tactile feedback through vibrations. The company argued that Apple’s Taptic Engine uses technology covered by its patents, a claim Apple has denied.
The jury found Apple liable for infringing two Taction patents. The case covers haptic feedback generated by devices including the iPhone and Apple Watch, where the Taptic Engine produces the taps and vibrations users feel when interacting with their devices.
Taction Technology develops its own haptic technology for products including headphones and gaming headsets. The company originally filed its lawsuit against Apple in 2021.
Apple Plans To Appeal The Verdict
Apple has rejected the jury’s finding and said it plans to appeal. The company maintains that the Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology and does not use the patented technology at issue in the case.
The dispute has already gone through several stages. A federal judge in San Diego previously ruled in Apple’s favor in 2023, finding that Apple had not infringed Taction’s patents. The case was later revived after Taction appealed to the Federal Circuit.
The latest jury verdict puts the dispute back in the spotlight, but Apple’s planned appeal means the $5.7 billion award is not necessarily the final outcome.
$5.7 Billion Sets A Patent Record
The jury awarded Taction more than $5.7 billion in damages, making it the largest patent award in US history. The amount is tied to Apple’s use of the technology covered by the two patents.
The case will now move into the appeals process as Apple challenges the jury’s findings. The final damages and outcome could still change as the case moves through the courts.
(via Bloomberg Law)
