A federal jury in San Diego found that Taptic Engine, the haptic-feedback technology used in Apple's iPhones and Apple Watches, infringed patents held by Taction. The jury ordered Apple to pay the San Diego-based company more than $5.7 billion. Sözcü described the award as the largest patent-infringement penalty in U.S. history.
Apple called the award unfair and said it would appeal. The company argues that its Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology and says it does not use Taction's technology. Sözcü reported that Taction also cited its own tests in support of its position.
Taction lawyer Lance Yang welcomed the verdict, saying it affirmed the company's patent rights. The case returned to trial after a federal appeals court allowed it to be retried following a 2023 ruling in Apple's favor by a San Diego judge.
Sözcü also noted a separate collective action in the United Kingdom. In June, the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved a case brought by consumer group Which?, which alleges that Apple abused its dominant position by requiring iPhone users to use its iCloud storage service. That proceeding is separate and ongoing.