Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict

Apple could face additional payments on top of a $5.7 billion patent verdict, with Taction Technology asking a federal judge for more damages, interest, and royalties on future iPhone and Apple Watch sales. The request follows a September jury verdict that Apple's Taptic Engine infringed two Taction patents covering haptic feedback, the technology that produces taps and vibrations in devices. Apple disputes the verdict and is seeking to have it overturned or obtain a new trial. According to Reuters, Taction says the $5.7 billion award covers sales from 2021 through to late March 2026. It now wants compensation for approximately six more months of sales that were not included in the jury's initial calculation. Taction is also asking for interest on the damages at an annual rate of 7%, citing California law. That could increase the amount by hundreds of millions of dollars. Separately, it wants interest to continue accumulating after the court enters its final judgment until Apple pays. The company's request also extends to future sales. Taction wants Apple to pay royalties on devices using the disputed technology until the patents expire on September 24, 2035. Under its proposal, Apple would report U.S. sales every quarter and pay within 30 days of the quarter ending. Moreover, Taction argues that newer models, including the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12, should also be covered because their relevant technology has not changed enough to escape the patent claims. To support that position, it points to Apple's earlier litigation against Samsung, in which Apple argued that royalties should extend to newer products with essentially the same infringing technology. Apple maintains that its Taptic Engine is fundamentally different from Taction's technology. It has also challenged the size of the jury's award, arguing that the evidence did not support the $5.7 billion calculation, and has said it will appeal. Popular StoriesRIP, MacBook UltraApple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...Apple Retail Staff Told to Warn Against iPhone Duo Walk-In PurchasesSome Apple retail employees have been told to warn customers against visiting to purchase an iPhone Duo without a pre-order on Friday, October 23. Apple Store employees told MacRumors that they have been advised that there will likely be no iPhone Duo stock available for walk-in purchases on launch day. Staff have been instructed to discourage customers without pre-orders from coming in...Mark Gurman: Apple Made 'Major Mistake' With iPhone Duo Pre-OrdersDespite knowing that the iPhone Duo would face "severe supply constraints" due to manufacturing challenges, Apple chose to begin iPhone Duo pre-orders on Friday instead of waiting until it had more inventory ready, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he called this decision a "major mistake." "Let me cut to the chase: Apple made a major mistake here," he...