A federal jury in San Diego has ruled against Apple in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Taction, a company specializing in haptic technology. The jury determined that Apple’s Taptic Engine, a core component in iPhones and Apple Watches that provides tactile feedback to users, utilized proprietary technology developed by Taction without a valid license.

The legal dispute, which began in 2021, focused on two specific patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117. These patents cover vibration-based, tactile transducer technology designed to simulate physical sensations in response to digital inputs. Taction successfully argued that Apple incorporated these patented methods into its hardware products without obtaining the necessary authorization. As a result of the verdict, the jury awarded Taction $5.7 billion in damages.

Apple has not yet publicly detailed its strategy for appeal, though such large-scale patent verdicts are frequently challenged in higher courts. The case highlights the ongoing tension between major hardware manufacturers and smaller technology firms regarding the ownership of specialized interface components.