Apple Hit With $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict Over iPhone and Apple Watch Haptic Technology

The Trial and Verdict Details

Jurors spent parts of two days deliberating before finding that Apple infringed claims from U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. Both patents describe tactile transducers that produce bass frequency vibrations perceptible by touch. While the jury found in favor of Taction on the infringement claims, they also determined that Apple’s actions were not willful, removing a potential path for Taction to pursue enhanced damages under federal patent law.

“We’re happy the jury found for Taction and vindicated its patent rights,” said Taction’s lawyer, Tigran Guledjian of Quinn Emanuel, noting that the case took five and a half years to reach trial. Conversely, Apple stated that it strongly disagreed with the verdict and the damages award, calling them entirely unsupported by the facts. “The Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology, which Taction’s own testing of Apple’s products confirmed during trial,” Apple said in a statement, adding that the company does not use the technology and will appeal the decision.

Procedural History and the Federal Circuit Revival

The legal battle carries an extensive procedural history, including an earlier victory for Apple. In August 2023, U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson granted Apple summary judgment of non-infringement, tossing out the case after excluding key expert testimony from Taction’s witness and applying a narrow construction of terms like “highly damped output.”

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit revived the lawsuit in August 2025. The appellate court ruled that the district court abused its discretion by excluding portions of Taction’s expert testimony and erred in its claim construction. That ruling returned the dispute to the trial court for the jury proceedings that concluded on September 25, 2026.

Litigation Funding and Next Steps

Court discovery revealed that Taction received financial backing for the high-stakes litigation from Gronostaj Investments LLC and Kenosha Investments LP.

The case now returns to Judge Robinson for post-trial proceedings, where Apple can challenge the $5.7 billion award before formally filing its announced appeal with the Federal Circuit.