A federal jury in San Diego has ruled that Apple infringed two patents owned by a small company called Taction Technology, and it awarded the company more than $5.7 billion. Reuters described the amount as a record for a patent case. Apple says the verdict is wrong and plans to appeal.
If you use an iPhone or Apple Watch, the first question is probably whether this changes anything for you. Here is what the case is about, what the jury decided, and what happens next.
Quick Answer
- On September 25, 2026, a jury in San Diego ruled that Apple owes Taction Technology $5,721,961,750
- The case is about the Taptic Engine, the part that creates the vibrations and taps you feel on iPhones and Apple Watches
- The jury found Apple infringed the patents but not on purpose
- Apple says it will appeal and disagrees with both the verdict and the amount
- The reports we reviewed describe money damages only. They do not mention any sales ban or removal of features
- The verdict is not final yet, and large jury awards can change on appeal
What Is This Case About
Every time your iPhone buzzes when you type, or your Apple Watch taps your wrist for a notification, it uses haptic feedback. Apple’s version is called the Taptic Engine. It first came with the Apple Watch and was later added to iPhones.
Taction Technology is a San Diego company that makes audio and gaming products with haptic feedback. It sued Apple in April 2021 and claimed the Taptic Engine used its patented inventions without permission. Two U.S. patents were involved, numbered 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. Taction also claimed Apple bought and studied two of its headsets. Bloomberg Law described Taction as a firm backed by litigation funding, which means outside investors helped pay for the case.
What Did the Jury Decide
The jury answered a series of questions on a verdict form:
- Did Apple infringe? Yes. The jury found Apple infringed two claims in one patent and one claim in the other
- Was it willful? No. The jury did not find that Apple infringed knowingly or on purpose
- Did Apple prove the patents were invalid? No. Apple failed to prove that any of the three claims were invalid
- How much does Apple owe? $5,721,961,750
Seven jurors decided the case. The trial started on September 14, and they deliberated for two days before returning the verdict on Friday.
Timeline of the Case
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | Taction sues Apple |
| 2023 | A San Diego federal judge rules for Apple |
| 2025 | An appeals court (the Federal Circuit) revives the case |
| September 14, 2026 | Jury trial begins |
| September 25, 2026 | Jury finds Apple infringed and awards over $5.7 billion |
What Does Apple Say
Apple says it strongly disagrees with the verdict and with the damages, which it calls unsupported by the facts. It argues that its Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction’s technology and says Taction’s own testing during the trial confirmed that difference. Apple also says it does not use Taction’s technology, and it says it will appeal.
Taction’s lawyers said the company was happy the jury upheld its patent rights, and pointed out that it waited more than five years for the case to reach trial.
Will This Change Your iPhone or Apple Watch
Based on the reports we reviewed, no. The verdict is about money Apple owes, not about stopping sales or removing features. Nothing in the coverage mentions a ban, a recall, or changes to how haptics work on your device. Nothing we found links the verdict to price changes either.
Does Apple Really Have to Pay $5.7 Billion
Not yet. A jury verdict is not the last step. Here is how it usually goes:
- The judge can still rule on requests from both sides after the trial, including asking to set aside or reduce the verdict
- The losing side can appeal to a higher court, in this case the Federal Circuit
- Big patent awards are sometimes reduced or thrown out during these steps
Because the jury said Apple’s infringement was not willful, the award is not expected to be increased for bad intent. The final amount, and whether Apple pays anything, will depend on how these steps go. Payments like this usually wait until the appeals are finished.
Apple’s Other Patent Fights
This is not Apple’s only big patent case. In November 2025, another federal jury ruled that Apple owed $634 million to Masimo over smartwatch patents, and Apple said it would appeal that one too. Years ago, Apple also settled a separate haptics dispute with a company called Immersion for an undisclosed amount.
More Apple News
Apple has been in the news for other reasons this month. If you own a recent iPhone, you may be able to claim money in the Apple $250 million AI settlement. If you are on the newest software, see our iOS 27 guide, and our guide to iPhone 18 Pro touch and Face ID bugs if your phone is acting up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Apple owe Taction?
The jury awarded $5,721,961,750, which is more than $5.7 billion. The verdict is not final, because Apple plans to appeal.
What is the Taptic Engine?
It is the part inside iPhones and Apple Watches that creates vibrations and taps. It is how your device gives you a physical response when you press a button or get a notification.
Who is Taction Technology?
Taction is a San Diego company that makes audio and gaming products with haptic feedback. It sued Apple in 2021 over two haptics patents.
Did the jury say Apple copied Taction on purpose?
No. The jury found Apple infringed the patents, but it did not find that the infringement was willful.
Will my iPhone or Apple Watch stop working or be pulled from sale?
The reports we reviewed describe money damages only and do not mention any sales ban or product changes.
Will Apple appeal?
Yes. Apple said it strongly disagrees with the verdict and the damages and will appeal.
Is this the biggest patent verdict ever?
Reuters described it as a record, and Engadget said it would be one of the largest patent payouts in the US if it holds. Large awards like this can change on appeal.
Will iPhone prices go up because of this?
Nothing in the reports we reviewed links the verdict to any price change. The case is still in its early legal stages.
