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$5.7 billion is not enough for the patent holder. Following the Taptic Engine ruling, Taction also wants to profit from iPhones and Apple Watches that were sold or will be sold after the jury's decision – until the patents expire in almost nine years.
In late September, a jury in San Diego ruled that Apple should pay $5.7 billion for the Taptic Engine. Apple has since filed a motion to overturn the verdict. Now, Taction Technology has followed up with a request for further payments, as reported by Reuters.
The case is being heard in the Federal District Court for the Southern California under case number 3:21-cv-00812 before Judge Todd W. Robinson. The jury found that two Taction patents relating to dampened vibration modules had been infringed.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Taction is demanding compensation for sales from April to September 2026, which are not yet covered by the ruling.
- In addition, there will be ongoing license fees on future US sales until the patent expires on September 24, 2035.
- Specifically mentioned are the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
- Interest rates of 7 percent annually are expected to start in April 2021.
- Apple's request to overturn the verdict is still pending.
What Taction additionally requires
The jury's verdict of September 25 only covers sales up to the end of March 2026. Taction is seeking retroactive damages for the six months from April to September.
The larger item concerns the future. Taction is requesting ongoing license fees on all further sales of the affected devices until the patents expire on September 24, 2035. Apple is to report its US sales quarterly and pay within 30 days of the end of the quarter. The report does not specify a rate per device.
Interest will also accrue. Before the final ruling, it will be calculated at the California statutory rate of 7 percent annually starting in April 2021, and will continue to accrue thereafter until full payment is received.
The new models in focus
The product list is noteworthy. Taction explicitly mentions the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, as well as the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 – devices that weren't even on the market at the time of the trial. According to Taction, they don't differ significantly from the models the jury ultimately decided on.
According to Reuters, Taction cites Apple itself as the basis for this argument. In the 2018 case against Samsung, Apple argued that license payments must also apply to newer, essentially identical models.
| Time | Status |
|---|---|
| 25.09.2026 | Jury verdict of approximately $5.72 billion, sales through March 2026 |
| 13.10.2026 | Apple requests a reversal of the verdict or a new trial |
| 19.10.2026 | Report on Tactions' claim for back payment, royalties and interest |
| 24.09.2035 | Expiry of the two patents, end of the requested license fees |
Why local buyers are not affected
The dispute revolves around US patents, and the current licensing fees explicitly refer to sales in the US. An iPhone 18 Pro or an Apple Watch Series 12 sold in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland are not covered.
I believe the new application will be inconsequential for the time being, because everything hinges on a ruling, the validity of which the judge has yet to decide. I expect Robinson to rule on Apple's application first, and that the amount of the claim will remain the main point of contention before any payments spanning several years are even discussed.
The sheer scale of it illustrates the point: If Taction's requests were granted, every iPhone with Taptic Engine sold in the US would generate a share for Taction for almost nine more years. This would be in addition to back payments for the past six months and interest extending back to 2021.
Will the verdict ultimately stand, or will the judge overturn the 5.7 billion? Share your prediction in the comments.
