US jury says Apple owes record $5.7 billion in patent case against San Diego company

A US jury ruled that Apple owes San Diego-based Taction ​more than $5.7 billion for using its patented ‌technology to power the haptic feedback in iPhones and Apple Watches.

Apple said it would ​appeal the country’s largest such verdict to date.

The jury said on Friday that ⁠Apple’s Taptic Engine, which creates tapping vibrations, ​infringed two Taction patents.

A US jury ruled that Apple owes Taction over $5.7 billion for infringing haptic technology patents in iPhones and Apple Watches. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“Apple’s Taptic Engine is ​fundamentally different from Taction’s technology, which Taction’s own testing of Apple’s products confirmed during trial,” Apple ​said in response.

“Apple does not use Taction’s ​technology, and we will appeal,” it added in a ‌statement.

“We’re ⁠happy the jury found for Taction and vindicated its patent rights,” said Taction attorney Lance Yang.

Taction, which uses its technology ​in headphones ​and gaming ⁠headsets, filed the lawsuit in 2021.

Apple said it will appeal the verdict, which is the largest made against the company to date. Jimin Kim/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Apple denied the allegations and ​said the patents were invalid.

The US ​Court ⁠of Appeals for the Federal Circuit revived the case last year after a San ⁠Diego ​federal judge ruled in ​2023 that Apple did not infringe the patents.