Apple has been ordered to pay $5.7 billion in damages after a federal jury in San Diego ruled in one of the largest patent infringement cases in tech history. Haptics company Taction Technology filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2021, alleging that the company infringed on two critical patents related to haptic feedback technology .
According to The Verge, the case centered on patents US Patent No. 10,659,885 and US Patent No. 10,820,117, which concern vibration-based haptic switching technology. The technology in question allows users to “feel” sounds and vibrations through their device, providing a rich haptic experience. Taction argued that Apple incorporated this technology into its products without obtaining the necessary license.
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Haptic feedback technology is an integral part of the modern user experience on smartphones, smartwatches and other wearable devices. Apple has invested heavily in developing its own Taptic Engine , which is used throughout the iPhone , Apple Watch and MacBook lineup . The Taptic Engine produces subtle, precise vibrations that simulate natural sensations — from the click of a button to app notifications.
What exactly do Taction's haptic patents protect?
The two patents at the center of the dispute specifically concern the use of tactile transducers — transducers that convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations — to create haptic feedback. Taction Technology claims to have developed this technology before Apple and that the Cupertino company adopted it without compensating its creators. This technology does not simply concern classic notification vibrations, but a much more advanced form of haptic communication that allows the device to “transmit” sounds as felt vibrations.
The importance of this technology becomes even more apparent when you consider its applications: from improving accessibility for the hearing impaired to creating more immersive experiences in gaming and virtual reality applications. Apple has used similar capabilities on the iPhone for features like Live Listen and various features that assist users with disabilities.
Taction Technology is a relatively small company that specializes in research and development of haptic feedback technologies. The jury’s decision to award $5.7 billion in damages reflects the enormous commercial value that haptic feedback technology has acquired in Apple products. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of Apple devices — iPhones , Apple Watches , MacBooks — use some form of the disputed technology.
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The implications of the decision for Apple and haptic patents
The ruling is one of the largest patent infringement convictions in the technology industry. For comparison, the famous legal battle between Apple and Samsung over design patents resulted in damages of around $1 billion — much less than the current ruling. Apple is expected to appeal the ruling, as the company rarely accepts such decisions without exhausting its legal remedies.
From a legal perspective, the case highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property in the technology sector. Large tech companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung own thousands of patents and often face lawsuits from smaller companies or so-called patent trolls — entities that acquire patents for the sole purpose of suing for damages. In the case of Taction, however, it appears to be a company that actually developed and patented its technology.
The decision also has significant implications for the haptics industry as a whole. Companies like Immersion Corporation, which has also been involved in several haptic patent litigations, are closely watching the case. Taction may encourage other companies to seek damages from tech giants for patent infringement related to haptic feedback technologies.
It is worth noting that Apple has invested huge sums of money in the development of the Taptic Engine and considers this technology to be one of its key competitive advantages. The company has registered dozens of patents related to haptic technology, and its legal team is expected to challenge both the validity of Taction and the way the damages are calculated. The amount of $5.7 billion is extremely high even for Apple ,which, although it is one of the most profitable companies in the world, will face significant pressure to reach a settlement or overturn the decision in an appellate court.
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Apple argues that the Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology and that testing of its products during the trial confirmed its position. "Apple does not use Taction's technology and will appeal," the company said in a statement to CNBC.
The amount and the decision do not mean that Apple will pay the money immediately, as post-trial procedures and an appeal follow.
