Apple challenges Taction’s $5.7B patent verdict, says damages were based on ‘guesswork’

Apple is petitioning a federal judge to nullify a $5.7 billion patent infringement ruling against the company, which was issued by a jury in a case against Taction Technology. The patents at issue concern Taction's Taptic Engine, which is responsible for haptic feedback found in Apple devices such as iPhones and Apple Watches. Apple maintains that its technology is fundamentally different from Taction's, and it has announced it intends to appeal the verdict.

In its motion, Apple argues that Taction did not present sufficient evidence to support the damages award, which it says is "the largest patent verdict in history, by more than $3 billion." The company asserts that Taction's damages expert was barred from testifying and that the jury engaged in "impermissible guesswork" due to Taction's failure to present any evidence of what a "reasonable royalty" for its patented technology would be.

Apple also claims that one of Taction's technical experts, Dr. Oliver, used a "rigged" test to support his findings of infringement, and that the output of the transducer, which is central to the patents, was not highly damped as required by the patents. If Apple's arguments are accepted, the court may overturn the jury's verdict, rule that Taction owes no damages, or order a new trial covering issues of infringement, patent validity, and damages.