MEME #00038

APPLE MUST PAY $5.7 BILLION

A federal jury in San Diego ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion after finding that the Taptic Engine in iPhones and Apple Watches infringes two vibration-technology patent...

Published September 27, 2026 · Technology

#MemesISNews #LILMEME00038 #Apple #Taction #Haptics

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A federal jury in San Diego ordered Apple to pay more than $5.7 billion after finding that the Taptic Engine in iPhones and Apple Watches infringes two vibration-technology patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117) owned by Taction Technology. Taction sued in 2021; the case was dismissed in 2023 and revived by the Federal Circuit. The jury did not find willful infringement, and Apple says it will appeal: "Apple does not use Taction's technology."

The real news

The story, straight

Taction sued in 2021; the case was dismissed in 2023 and revived by the Federal Circuit. The jury did not find willful infringement, and Apple says it will appeal: 'Apple does not use Taction's technology.'

The absurd

Why this is ridiculous

$5.7 billion. That's the price of a buzz.

The little wiggle that says 'message' just became the most expensive 'oh' in smartphone history. Apple's response: 'Apple does not use Taction's technology.'

The jury spent all week looking at a motor that wiggles and came back with a nine-figure verdict. One of you two is not describing the motor.

The breakdown

How it breaks down

The number to sit with: $5.7 billion against the whole iPhone and Apple Watch family is a per-device royalty that would dwarf much of a phone's bill of materials if paid per unit. That math turns a patent case into a business model for the plaintiff and an appeal into the defendant's only exit.

When a single feature is worth more than the product, the feature is the product.

The upside

Why it could matter

The upside is older than the lawsuit: a small patent holder with one real invention - a better buzz - just cashed a nine-figure exit from the largest company on earth.

In a market where everyone assumes only giants can win, the buzz-motor case is the counter-example of the week: one invention, held patiently, worth billions.