Apple has been ordered to pay $5.7 billion after a US jury found it infringed patents owned by Taction Technology. The patents cover Apple’s Taptic Engine, the hardware responsible for delivering haptic feedback during notifications, button presses, and other user interactions.
Taction Technology filed the lawsuit in 2021, claiming that Apple had “infringed and continues to infringe, directly and indirectly” its patents.
According to CNBC, the case revolved around two patents. Both patents describe a “vibration module for applying vibrational tractions to a wearer’s skin.” Taction contended that Apple’s Taptic Engine violated its patents, accusing Apple of “capitalizing on Taction’s innovation and success.”
Apple’s Taptic Engine made its debut in the Apple Watch in 2014 and was later introduced in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus a year later, replacing the previous vibration motor.
Apple issued a statement: “While we thank the jury for their consideration, we strongly disagree with today’s verdict and the damages awarded, which are entirely unsupported by the facts. Apple’s Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology, which Taction’s own testing of Apple’s products confirmed during trial. Apple does not use Taction’s technology, and we will appeal.”
Taction Technology, headquartered in California, describes itself as “obsessed by sound.” The company claims its “Transporter Technology powers the groundbreaking Corsair HS60 Haptic headphones and will soon be featured in other premium headphones from major manufacturers.”
Taction’s lead counsel told CNBC: “We’re happy the jury found for Taction and vindicated its patent rights. Taction waited five and a half years for this case to get to trial, so it was a long time coming.”
The original patent infringement complaint filed by Taction can be accessed here, along with Friday’s jury ruling here.
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