A federal jury in San Diego has found that Apple infringed on two patents held by Taction Technology, a haptics technology company, and has ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion in damages to Taction Technology [1]. The lawsuit, filed by Taction in 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleged that Apple was improperly 'capitalizing on Taction's innovation and success' by selling devices that infringed on its vibration technology [1]. The patents in question are U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117, both of which involve vibration-based, tactile transducer technology that enables users to feel a device responding to their input [1]. Taction argued that Apple's 'Taptic Engine,' embedded in Apple Watches and iPhones, used its inventions without proper license or authority [1].
The case had previously been dismissed in 2023, but was later revived by the Federal Circuit, leading to a jury trial that began on September 14. After two days of deliberation, the seven-member jury returned a verdict in favor of Taction at 1:15 p.m. PT on Friday, awarding the company over $5.7 billion in damages [1]. However, the jury did not find Apple's infringement to be willful [1].
In response to the verdict, Apple stated to Bloomberg Law that it intends to appeal the finding, asserting that it 'does not use Taction's technology' [1]. Representatives for both Apple and Taction did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment [1].
The verdict represents a significant financial and legal setback for Apple, with potential implications for its use of haptic technology in its devices. The outcome of Apple's planned appeal could further impact the company's financial obligations and future product designs [1].
CONCLUSION
Apple has been ordered to pay over $5.7 billion to Taction Technology after a federal jury found it infringed on two haptics patents. Apple has stated it will appeal the verdict, and the case's outcome could have substantial financial and technological implications for the company.