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Jury orders Apple to pay $5.7 billion in haptics patent dispute

A San Diego federal court found Apple's Taptic Engine infringed Taction Technology patents.

The short version

  • A federal jury ordered Apple to pay Taction Technology over $5.7 billion for infringing two haptics patents used in iPhone and Apple Watch models.[CNBC]
  • The jury determined that Apple's infringement was unintentional and not willful.[CNBC · Engadget]
  • Apple denied using Taction's technology and plans to appeal the verdict.[CNBC · Engadget]

Key facts

  • A federal jury in San Diego awarded Taction Technology over $5.7 billion in damages against Apple for patent infringement.[CNBC · Engadget]
  • The lawsuit, filed in 2021, claimed Apple's Taptic Engine in iPhones and Apple Watches infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117.[CNBC]
  • The case was originally dismissed in 2023 but was later revived by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.[CNBC · Engadget]
  • The jury found the infringement was unintentional rather than willful.[CNBC · Engadget]

What remains uncertain

  • Apple plans to appeal the decision, leaving the final damages award and outcome subject to appellate review.[CNBC · Engadget]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.