Apple ordered to pay billions in patent lawsuit
Apple ordered to pay billions in patent lawsuit
Updated at: September 27, 2026 at 02:45 AM
On September 26, 2026, a U.S. federal jury in San Diego delivered a landmark verdict, ordering Apple to pay $5.72 billion for patent infringement.
This ruling, recognized as the largest patent award in U.S. history, stems from a legal battle with Taction Technology Inc. over the "Taptic Engine" found in iPhones and Apple Watches.
Taction claimed Apple violated two of its patents regarding low-frequency vibration technology.
Although the damages are record-breaking, the jury noted that Apple’s infringement was not "willful," which spares the company from potentially having the fine tripled.
The road to this verdict was long.
Apple, maintaining that its technology was independently developed and fundamentally different from Taction’s, has firmly denied any wrongdoing.
The tech giant has vowed to launch an aggressive appeal.
