A California jury has ordered Apple to pay $5.7bn after finding it infringed two patents held by audio firm Taction Technology covering vibration technology. Apple plans to appeal.
Key facts
- A California jury ordered Apple to pay $5.7bn in a patent infringement case.
- Audio firm Taction Technology claimed Apple infringed its patents for tech used to power device vibrations.
- The jury found Apple infringed two Taction patents but did not do so wilfully.
- Apple plans to appeal the ruling.
Apple has been ordered to pay $5.7bn after a California jury found the company infringed patents held by audio firm Taction Technology, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera.
Taction Technology claimed Apple infringed its patents for technology used to power device vibrations, the BBC reported. Such vibration technology is commonly used in consumer electronics to provide tactile feedback.
The California jury found that Apple had infringed two of Taction’s patents, according to Al Jazeera. The jury concluded, however, that Apple did not wilfully violate the patents.
The distinction over wilfulness can be significant in patent cases, as a finding of wilful infringement can expose a defendant to enhanced damages. In this case, the jury did not make such a finding.
Apple plans to appeal the ruling, Al Jazeera reported. The outcome of any appeal was not detailed in the sources.
The case pits Taction Technology, an audio firm, against one of the world’s largest technology companies over the ownership of vibration-related innovations. Beyond the reported verdict, damages figure and appeal plans, further details were not provided in the sources.
Why it matters
Patent disputes over core hardware technologies can result in large financial awards and shape how major manufacturers license or design their products. A $5.7bn verdict against Apple underscores the stakes involved when a smaller firm asserts ownership of technology used in mass-market devices.
Frequently asked questions
How much was Apple ordered to pay?
A California jury ordered Apple to pay $5.7bn in the patent infringement case, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera.
What technology was the case about?
Taction Technology claimed Apple infringed its patents for technology used to power device vibrations, according to the BBC.
Is Apple appealing the decision?
Yes. Al Jazeera reported that Apple plans to appeal the ruling.