Apple Ordered to Pay Taction Over $5.7B in Haptic Patent Case
A federal jury found Apple unintentionally infringed two Taction haptic feedback patents. Apple plans to appeal the more than $5.7 billion award.
A federal jury has ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion to Taction, a San Diego-based maker of audio and gaming peripherals with haptic feedback, according to engadget.com. The verdict states that Apple unintentionally infringed two Taction patents covering haptic feedback technology.
Taction filed its lawsuit in 2021, alleging that the Taptic Engine used in iPhones and Apple Watches infringed its patents. The case was dismissed in 2023 by a federal judge in San Diego, but was later revived by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Apple said it disagrees with both the verdict and the damages and plans to appeal.
The ruling is the latest in a series of patent disputes over Apple's wearable and mobile technology. In a separate case, a federal jury ruled in November that Apple must pay $634 million for violating Masimo patents related to blood-oxygen tracking on the Apple Watch. Apple also plans to appeal that verdict.
Apple has faced similar claims before. Immersion previously sued Apple over haptic technology in iPhones, Apple Watches and MacBooks, and the two companies settled for an undisclosed amount.
Quick answers
How much was Apple ordered to pay Taction?
A federal jury ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion to Taction.
What patents were involved in the Taction case?
Taction alleged that Apple's Taptic Engine in iPhones and Apple Watches infringed two of its haptic feedback patents.
Will Apple appeal the verdict?
Yes. Apple said it disagrees with the verdict and damages and plans to appeal.