Burford in line for potential $1.4bn after Apple verdict

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Litigation finance company Burford Capital stands to gain up to $1.4 billion after a San Diego jury awarded $5.7 billion in damages to Taction Technology for Apple's alleged patent infringement on haptic feedback technology. Although Apple plans to appeal and the final amount Burford receives may change, the verdict highlights the increasing impact and risks within the patent litigation finance sector.

Litigation finance firm Burford Capital could receive up to $1.4 billion following a jury verdict against Apple in a high-profile patent infringement case. A U.S. federal jury in San Diego awarded $5.7 billion in damages to Taction Technology on Friday, marking one of the largest patent verdicts in U.S. history. Burford disclosed yesterday that it holds a financial interest in the case.

Taction Technology, which specializes in vibration technology for electronic devices, sued Apple in 2021, alleging the company used its patented inventions without authorization. The lawsuit centered on two patents related to haptic feedback mechanisms, specifically targeting Apple’s “Taptic Engine,” which is featured in iPhones and Apple Watches. Taction argued that Apple had capitalized on its innovations without a license, while Apple denied the allegations. The company described the patents as invalid and accused Taction of failing to provide sufficient evidence during the trial, denying any willful or indirect infringement.

Apple announced its intention to appeal the verdict, stating that the damages awarded are “entirely unsupported by the facts.” The tech giant emphasized that its Taptic Engine differs fundamentally from Taction’s technology and referenced testing conducted during the trial to support this claim. Taction did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Burford’s disclosure comes after a significant setback earlier this year when a U.S. appeals court overturned a $16 billion ruling against Argentina related to the national oil company YPF. Burford had financially backed the shareholders in that case and was positioned to benefit from the award. Following the reversal, Burford’s shares dropped sharply, marking its largest intraday decline since 2020.

Despite the potential windfall from the Apple case, Burford cautioned that the jury’s decision does not constitute a final judgment or immediate cash receipt. The firm acknowledged that post-trial motions and Apple’s appeals could reduce the eventual recovery substantially, or in some scenarios, result in a total loss.

Burford’s shares closed up 9.4 percent in London on the news, reflecting investor optimism about the initial outcome. The case underscores the growing prominence and volatility of patent litigation finance amid complex intellectual property disputes involving major technology companies.

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.