Apple verdict leaves Burford in line for slice of $5.7bn payout

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Burford Capital, which funded Taction’s lawsuit, stands to receive up to $1.4 billion from a $5.7 billion jury award against Apple for patent infringement related to the Taptic Engine technology. The verdict, the largest of its kind in the U.S., is subject to appeals and legal challenges that could significantly affect the final payout and highlight the risks of litigation finance.

Burford Capital, a London-listed litigation finance firm, stands to receive a share of a $5.7 billion legal award following a jury verdict in a five-year patent dispute against Apple. The jury in San Diego ruled in favor of the US company Taction, which claimed that Apple’s Taptic Engine technology infringed on two of its patents related to haptic feedback—the vibrations that simulate the sense of touch in digital devices.

Burford, which funded Taction’s litigation, indicated that its portion of the damages could reach as high as $1.4 billion. The company’s share price rose by as much as 15 percent following the verdict before trimming gains amid cautionary statements from executives. Burford highlighted that the jury decision is not a final judgment and that substantial legal and collection risks remain. Apple has already filed motions seeking to overturn the verdict, with the post-trial and appellate review processes expected to extend over a considerable period.

Taction initiated the lawsuit against Apple in 2021. Representatives for the company expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, stating it affirmed Taction’s patent rights. Conversely, Apple has maintained that its Taptic Engine is “fundamentally different” from Taction’s technology, citing evidence from Taction’s own testing during the trial. Apple reiterated that it does not use Taction’s patented technology.

Burford’s recent market movements reflect a volatile legal and financial environment for the company. Earlier in April, its shares declined after a US appeals court ruled in favor of the Argentine government in a separate case involving YPF, an Argentine oil company. On the day following the Apple verdict, Burford’s shares closed at 302¼ pence, up 9.4 percent from the previous close.

The San Diego jury’s award is reported to be the largest patent infringement payout of its kind in the United States. However, due to ongoing appeals and enforcement challenges, the ultimate amount Burford and Taction might receive remains uncertain. The case underscores the complexities of patent litigation and the risks inherent in litigation financing.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.