A federal jury found on Sept. 25 that Apple's Taptic Engine infringes Taction Technology's patents, and put damages at $5,721,961,750, according to the court docket. The jury found for Taction on infringement and on validity of the patents. It found for Apple on willfulness.

The Taptic Engine is the haptic part that produces taps and vibrations in the iPhone and Apple Watch. MacRumors reports the verdict covers two Taction patents on haptic feedback.

What Taction is asking for

On Oct. 16, Taction filed a motion for supplemental damages, an ongoing royalty, and prejudgment and postjudgment interest, per the docket. The details below come from Reuters, as relayed in the same report. They are Taction's requests, not a ruling.

  • Damages for about six more months of sales. Taction says the award covers sales from 2021 to late March 2026.
  • Interest at 7% a year, citing California law, and continuing interest after final judgment until Apple pays.
  • Royalties until the patents expire on Sept. 24, 2035, with Apple reporting U.S. sales quarterly and paying within 30 days of each quarter's end.
  • Coverage of the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12, which Taction argues are not different enough to avoid its patent claims.

What Apple has done

On Oct. 13, Apple filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law or, alternatively, a new trial, per the docket. That motion is pending.

The same report adds that Apple says the Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology, disputes the size of the award, and will appeal.

What it means

The Taptic Engine is the haptic part Apple uses in its iPhone and Apple Watch. Taction asks for royalties on devices using the technology through Sept. 24, 2035, reported quarterly. If the court granted that, it would be a recurring cost tied to Apple's iPhone and Apple Watch sales through 2035.

That is a request. The court has not decided whether the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 are covered.

Next, the judge rules on both sides' motions: Apple's motion to overturn the verdict or order a new trial, and Taction's motion for supplemental damages, an ongoing royalty and interest. Apple has said it will appeal.

In related Apple coverage: Apple reportedly cut iPhone 18 Pro component orders after a price increase, and Apple named US suppliers for iPhone Duo and 18 Pro parts.