Apple must pay $5.7 billion in damages to Taction Technology after a federal jury found that it had infringed two of the company’s haptics patents in its Apple Watch and iPhone, reports CNBC.
Taction sued Apple in 2021, arguing that Apple’s Taptic Engine in the company’s Apple Watches and iPhones uses its inventions without proper license or authority. While Apple had been able to get the case dismissed in 2023, the Federal Circuit later revived it.
The jury trial began September 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, and seven jurors deliberated for two days before delivering the verdict on Friday, in favor of Taction.
“We’re happy the jury found for Taction and vindicated its patent rights,” the company’s lead counsel, Lance Yang, told CNBC. “Taction waited five and a half years for this case to get to trial, so it was a long time coming.”
Apple for its part says it intends to appeal the decision.
“While we thank the jury for their consideration, we strongly disagree with today’s verdict and the damages awarded, which are entirely unsupported by the facts,” Apple told CNBC in a statement. “Apple’s Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology, which Taction’s own testing of Apple’s products confirmed during trial. Apple does not use Taction’s technology, and we will appeal.”
The hurors did not find that Apple had infringed the patents willingly.
