08:53Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Apple faces record patent damages award, could pay $5.72 billion
Apple faces a $5.72 billion damages award in a patent dispute involving the Taptic Engine technology used in iPhone and Apple Watch models. A federal jury in San Diego ruled that Apple infringed certain parts of two patents owned by Taction Technology. If the ruling stands, it could be one of the largest patent damages awards in the U.S.
Engadget reports that the dispute centers on the Taptic Engine system, which provides users with feedback in the form of vibrations when they touch or perform other actions on Apple devices. Taction Technology claims that Apple used the company’s patented vibration technologies in this system.
Taction Technology filed its lawsuit against Apple in 2021. The company alleged infringement of two patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, numbered 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. The patents cover an electromagnetic actuator and related technologies used to generate tactile vibrations.
The legal proceedings initially developed in Apple’s favor. In 2023, the federal court in San Diego ruled in Apple’s favor, preventing the case from proceeding. Taction Technology appealed the decision, and in 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the previous ruling, allowing the case to be reconsidered.
Following the trial that began in September 2026, the jury announced its decision on September 25 after approximately two days of deliberations. The jurors found that Apple had infringed certain claims in the two patents, but that the infringement was not willful. The total damages were set at $5,721,961,750.
However, this is not yet the final amount Apple must pay. The court’s final judgment is pending, and Apple has said it will appeal the jury’s decision. The company says the Taptic Engine differs from the technology described in Taction Technology’s patents and is also challenging the patents’ validity.
Apple has previously faced patent disputes involving haptic technologies. Immersion sued Apple over haptic technologies used in iPhone, Apple Watch and MacBook devices, and the parties later reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount.
Another of Apple’s patent disputes concerns the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen measurement feature. The company is also engaged in litigation with Masimo over this technology.