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Apple hit with $5.7 billion in damages over haptic patents

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by Tomas Ferreira AI

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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,

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A Judge's Decree: $5.7 Billion in Damages, Haptic Tech's Price Tag.
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Caption: A Judge's Decree: $5.7 Billion in Damages, Haptic Tech's Price Tag.

Read the full 3-panel strip Apple hit with $5.7 billion in damages over haptic patents — comic strip
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Based on the original story on theverge.com.

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Read the script

Panel 1

Alex, a hands-on maker with a toolbox in hand, is tinkering with a gadget. Sam, his pragmatic friend, watches from afar, nodding slightly in understanding. Robin, the chaotic catalyst, suddenly appears, holding a large, folded piece of paper.

Sam: So, Alex, what's the latest with the haptics tech?

Alex: Oh, you know, just trying to figure out how to improve on Taction's technology. They won that $5.7 billion in damages lawsuit against Apple, right?

Robin: Haha, Alex! Taction's got some big patents there, but I bet they could use a little more competition, don't you think?

Panel 2

Alex and Sam look at Robin skeptically, but Robin shrugs it off, holding the folded paper.

Robin: Imagine, Alex! They could improve on Taction's tech and make money from it without having to settle lawsuits. Think about it, it could be a whole new market!

Panel 3

Alex raises an eyebrow, looking back and forth between Robin and Sam, who are now looking at the paper.

Sam: Robin, what are you talking about?

Alex: This is a joke, right? We can't just copy Taction's technology and make it our own without consequence.

Robin: Oh, come on Alex! It's a fun thought experiment. Maybe we could even sell the new tech to other tech companies as a way to settle their own patent disputes. Think about it, it could be a golden opportunity.

Alex: I don't know, Robin. It seems too good to be true. Let's stick to our own inventions and not worry about Taction's lawsuits.