A federal jury in California has ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion in damages to hardware developer Taction Technology over patent infringement. The verdict, delivered in the US District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego, concludes that Apple incorporated protected haptic feedback systems into its hardware without a license. Taction initially launched the civil action in 2021, alleging unauthorized use of its patented vibration components.
Apple announced immediate plans to challenge the decision on appeal.
The dispute centers on two patents issued to Taction in 2020 governing mechanical modules that generate tactile vibrations. These systems simulate physical sensations when users receive alerts or interact with virtual inputs. Taction, an audio hardware manufacturer, argued that the inclusion of advanced haptic capabilities allowed Apple to substantially enhance consumer response across its mobile lineup. Its complaint alleged that the tech giant commercialized products containing the technology without acquiring the proper legal authority.
Jurors specifically concluded that Apple did not commit willful patent infringement.
Apple disputed the findings and stated that its proprietary hardware operates on entirely separate engineering principles. The company asserted that its internal Taptic Engine relies on distinct physical architecture that does not mirror the plaintiff`s design. Apple initially introduced the mechanism with the Apple Watch in 2014 before deploying adapted versions across subsequent smartphone iterations. The developer emphasized that testing conducted during the court proceedings supported its position that the systems diverge.
The ruling marks a reversal from 2023, when a federal district judge dismissed the case prior to trial. A federal appellate circuit subsequently reinstated Taction`s claims, remanding the matter for a jury trial that commenced earlier this month. The award represents one of the largest intellectual property verdicts delivered against the technology corporation.
The decision adds to a series of significant hardware patent challenges against the firm. A federal court previously ordered Apple to pay $634 million after a jury determined it had infringed proprietary pulse oximetry technology owned by Masimo Corporation.
