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Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict

Apple could face additional payments on top of a $5.7 billion patent verdict, with Taction Technology asking a federal judge for more damages, interest, and royalties on future iPhone and Apple Watch sales.

Taptic Engine iPhone 6s
The request follows a September jury verdict that Apple's Taptic Engine infringed two Taction patents covering haptic feedback, the technology that produces taps and vibrations in devices. Apple disputes the verdict and is seeking to have it overturned or obtain a new trial.

According to Reuters, Taction says the $5.7 billion award covers sales from 2021 through to late March 2026. It now wants compensation for approximately six more months of sales that were not included in the jury's initial calculation.

Taction is also asking for interest on the damages at an annual rate of 7%, citing California law. That could increase the amount by hundreds of millions of dollars. Separately, it wants interest to continue accumulating after the court enters its final judgment until Apple pays.

The company's request also extends to future sales. Taction wants Apple to pay royalties on devices using the disputed technology until the patents expire on September 24, 2035. Under its proposal, Apple would report U.S. sales every quarter and pay within 30 days of the quarter ending.

Moreover, Taction argues that newer models, including the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12, should also be covered because their relevant technology has not changed enough to escape the patent claims. To support that position, it points to Apple's earlier litigation against Samsung, in which Apple argued that royalties should extend to newer products with essentially the same infringing technology.

Apple maintains that its Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology. It has also challenged the size of the jury's award, arguing that the evidence did not support the $5.7 billion calculation, and has said it will appeal.

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Top Rated Comments

FlyingDutch Avatar
3 days ago at 10:30 pm

From what I’ve seen, Taction Technology was a legitimate company that filed patents related to haptic damping technology back in 2014. Apple announced the first Apple Watch with its Taptic Engine later that same year (though it didn’t actually launch until 2015). That alone doesn’t prove anything, but it certainly makes it harder to dismiss them as some random patent troll like you’re blindly assuming.

Did Apple actually steal their invention? I have no idea. But clearly, the jury found enough evidence to side with Taction. And considering Apple’s history with patent lawsuits, I wouldn’t be shocked if they used someone else’s technology without paying the proper licensing fees.

And I’m not criticizing Apple as a whole here. These days, pretty much every electronic device has thousands of technologies, patents, and algorithms packed into it. It only takes one bad decision or a lazy actor within a massive company like Apple to make the entire company look bad.

These kinds of lawsuits happen to pretty much every major tech company. Apple’s cases just get more attention because of the ridiculous amounts of money involved and how popular the company is.

If the patents are legitimate and Apple infringed on them, then pay the damn licensing fees. It’s really that simple.
The point is the patent system itself is flawed. You basically can’t design anything without infringing some.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3 days ago at 09:09 pm

patent trolls be trolling.
From what I’ve seen, Taction Technology was a legitimate company that filed patents related to haptic damping technology back in 2014. Apple announced the first Apple Watch with its Taptic Engine later that same year (though it didn’t actually launch until 2015). That alone doesn’t prove anything, but it certainly makes it harder to dismiss them as some random patent troll like you’re blindly assuming.

Did Apple actually steal their invention? I have no idea. But clearly, the jury found enough evidence to side with Taction. And considering Apple’s history with patent lawsuits, I wouldn’t be shocked if they used someone else’s technology without paying the proper licensing fees.

And I’m not criticizing Apple as a whole here. These days, pretty much every electronic device has thousands of technologies, patents, and algorithms packed into it. It only takes one bad decision or a lazy actor within a massive company like Apple to make the entire company look bad.

These kinds of lawsuits happen to pretty much every major tech company. Apple’s cases just get more attention because of the ridiculous amounts of money involved and how popular the company is.

If the patents are legitimate and Apple infringed on them, then pay the damn licensing fees. It’s really that simple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MeasterHD Avatar
3 days ago at 09:12 pm
Taction should be careful what they wish for. Against someone with bottomless pockets and army of lawyers you can end up empty handed.
We have a saying in Czech: Who wants more and more, have nothing at the end.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4 days ago at 08:27 pm
patent trolls be trolling.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boswald Avatar
3 days ago at 05:38 am

The point is the patent system itself is flawed. You basically can’t design anything without infringing some.
That's because, by now, everything's been done before. There's nowhere left to go. That's why we get incremental updates every year.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3 days ago at 12:40 am
The truth behind this is largely irrelevant, its only what can be proved in court that matters.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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