Record $5.7 Billion Verdict Against Apple in Haptics Patent Case
A federal jury in San Diego has dealt a significant blow to Apple, awarding haptics firm Taction Technology over $5.7 billion in damages. The jury found that Apple had infringed two of Taction’s vibration-based patents. The verdict was handed down on Friday, September 25, 2026, and revolves around Apple’s iconic Taptic Engine. This technology, embedded in iPhones and Apple Watches, provides users with tactile feedback for button presses, notifications, and other interactions.
The lawsuit, initiated by Taction in 2021, claimed that Apple’s Taptic Engine utilized Taction’s proprietary tactile transducer technology without permission. Initially dismissed by a San Diego federal judge in 2023, the case was revived in 2025 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Following a two-week trial, a seven-member jury deliberated for two days before siding with Taction. Notably, the jury did not find Apple’s infringement to be willful.
If the verdict is upheld, it will rank among the largest patent infringement payouts in U.S. history, exceeding an ongoing Intel case valued at $3 billion. Apple has vehemently rejected the outcome, stating the damages were “entirely unsupported by the facts,” and has confirmed its plans to appeal. The case could potentially reshape the hardware and intellectual property landscape across the tech industry.
Source: CNBC – Apple faces $5.7 billion patent infringement verdict over iPhone and Apple Watch haptics