Apple hit with $5.7 billion in damages over haptic patents
Published
What's this about?
Haptics tech company Taction sued Apple in 2021, alleging it infringed two of its patents. Now a federal jury in San Diego has awarded Taction over $5.7 billion in damages. According to CNBC, "The lawsuit centered around U.S. Patent Nos. 10,659,885 and 10,820,117, which both involve vibration-based,
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on theverge.com.
Editor's note
This decision highlights how technology companies can seek substantial damages when patents are alleged to have been infringed upon, underscoring the importance of clear patent communication and the potential financial impact of patent disputes. It also shows how advancements in haptics, which allows for tactile sensations in touchscreens, have become a valuable area of intellectual property.
Rate this comic
Read the script
Panel 1
Alex (excitedly) Sam (with a straight face)
Alex: Hey Sam, did you hear? Apple just got hit with over $5.7 billion in damages for using our vibration tech! It’s like they didn’t even notice we were using their patented haptics. What a slap in the face!
Sam: Alex, that’s $5.7 billion. That’s a lot of money, and they’re paying it because they used your patents without permission. It’s not really a slap in the face. More like a hefty bill for infringing on intellectual property.
Panel 2
Robin (confused) Alex (smiling) Sam (nodding)
Robin: Wait, what's a haptic tech? How does vibration-based tech work anyway? I thought that's just how your phone makes a vibration when you get a notification.
Alex: Oh Robin, it's not as complicated as it sounds. Haptic tech is like when your phone buzzes or vibrates. It feels like someone is gently tapping you on the shoulder. It's a way to give feedback to the user without seeing anything on the screen.
Sam: Exactly, Alex. It's a way to communicate with the user without them needing to look at their device. Kind of like magic fingers for your phone!
Panel 3
Alex (grinning) Sam (smiling)
Alex: So, Apple owes us all that money because they used our magical vibrations, but didn't ask for permission. It's like when you borrow someone's toy without asking and they get upset when you lose it. They just got an even bigger lesson in borrowing toys properly, I guess!
Sam: It’s a good reminder to always ask for permission and cite your sources. It’s a fair deal, Alex. After all, if you didn’t know about it, you wouldn’t have known to ask. Everyone learns, right?
Comments