A federal jury in San Diego reportedly found on September 25, 2026, that Apple infringed claims in two Taction Technology patents and awarded more than $5.7 billion. The jury also reportedly found that the infringement was not willful. Apple disputes the finding and the damages and says it plans to appeal.
The patents and Apple’s Taptic Engine
The case, Taction Tech. Inc. v. Apple Inc., No. 3:21-cv-00812, was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The patents at issue are U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. Both concern tactile transducers, devices that produce vibrations a person can feel.
The dispute concerned Apple’s Taptic Engine, which produces taps and other tactile feedback in some iPhone and Apple Watch models. Apple denies using Taction’s technology and says its system is different.
How the case reached the jury
Taction sued Apple in 2021. In 2023, the court granted summary judgment for Apple, ending Taction’s infringement claims at that stage. In August 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit revived the claims.
Apple disputes the verdict
Apple disputes both the jury’s infringement finding and the damages award. It announced that it plans to appeal.
