A federal jury in California has ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion after finding the company infringed two patents belonging to Taction Technology related to haptic feedback systems used in its devices.
The jury in the Southern District of California determined that Apple’s Taptic Engine, which produces the vibrations felt during notifications or button presses, violated the San Diego-based firm’s patents. It concluded, however, that the infringement was not willful.
Taction attorney Lance Yang welcomed the outcome. “We’re happy the jury found for Taction and vindicated its patent rights,” he said following the Friday verdict.
The legal dispute began in 2021 when Taction sued Apple, accusing the iPhone maker of capitalising on its innovation without a licence. A federal judge ruled in Apple’s favour in 2023, finding no infringement, but an appeals court later revived the case.
In its original complaint, Taction stated: “Apple is capitalising on Taction’s innovation and success by selling devices that infringe Taction’s patents. Apple is utilising Taction’s patented inventions without license or authority from Taction.”
Apple said it intends to appeal. “Apple’s Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology, which Taction’s own testing of Apple’s products confirmed during trial,” the company said in a statement.
The verdict comes shortly after John Ternus succeeded Tim Cook as Apple’s chief executive. Apple shares fell about two percent in early trading on Monday.
