A US jury has ordered Apple to pay $5.7 billion in damages after finding that the technology company infringed two patents held by audio firm Taction Technology. The patents relate to haptics systems—vibration technology that enables tactile feedback in devices such as the iPhone and Apple Watch when users receive messages or press buttons. Although Apple strongly contests the verdict and plans to appeal, arguing that its proprietary "Taptic Engine" is fundamentally different from Taction's technology, the ruling represents a significant financial loss for the tech giant and underscores the ongoing risks posed by patent litigation in the consumer electronics industry.

Taction Technology originally filed its lawsuit in 2021, claiming that Apple had capitalised on its innovation by selling devices that used its patented vibration technology without licence or permission. The case initially appeared settled when a San Diego judge ruled against Taction in 2023, but a federal appeals court subsequently overturned that decision and ordered a jury trial at the US District Court for the Southern District of California in September, which ultimately found in Taction's favour. Notably, the jury did not determine that Apple's infringement was wilful, which could have resulted in even higher damages. This verdict joins a growing list of patent disputes Apple has faced recently, including a November 2025 ruling requiring the company to pay $634 million to medical technology firm Masimo for infringing blood-oxygen reading patents.