Apple has been ordered to pay $5.7bn in damages after a US jury found it had used another firm's technology without permission. The tech giant was taken to court by audio firm Taction Technology, which claimed Apple had infringed two of its patents for haptics systems. These systems enable vibrations for actions such as receiving a message or pressing a button on devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Taction Technology claimed in 2021 that Apple had infringed its patents, which were issued in 2020. The company accused Apple of using its inventions "without license or authority". Apple's "Taptic Engine" system, which enables haptic feedback in its devices, was first introduced with the Apple Watch in 2014. Since then, the company has improved its underlying system, expanding haptics in its devices.
Haptics allow people to interact with devices by simulating the sense of touch or feel through vibrations. This technology has become a hallmark of modern devices, with smartphones, watches, and video game controllers containing small motors that move in response to specific electronic signals. Apple's devices, including the iPhone and Apple Watch, use haptics to enhance the user experience.
A San Diego judge initially ruled in 2023 that Apple did not infringe upon Taction's patents. However, an appeal was subsequently taken up by a federal appeal circuit, resulting in a September jury trial at the US District Court for the Southern District of California. The jury found in Taction's favour, ordering Apple to pay $5.7bn in damages.
Apple has been approached for comment and has stated that it will appeal the verdict. The company claims that its Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology, which Taction's own testing of Apple's products confirmed during the trial. Apple strongly disagrees with the verdict and the damages awarded, saying they are entirely unsupported by the facts.
This is not the first time Apple has been involved in a patent infringement lawsuit. In November 2025, a judge ordered Apple to pay $634m to medical tech firm Masimo after a jury found it had infringed a patent for blood-oxygen reading technology. Apple has defended itself against numerous similar lawsuits in recent years.
The verdict marks a significant decision in the ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Taction Technology. The jury did not find that Apple had infringed the patents in question willingly. Apple will likely continue to defend its position, and the outcome of the appeal will be closely watched by the tech industry.
Key points
- Apple ordered to pay $5.7bn in damages
- Apple claims its Taptic Engine technology does not infringe Taction's patents
- This is one of many patent infringement lawsuits Apple has faced in recent years
