A federal jury in California has ruled that Apple infringed on a Masimo patent related to blood oxygen saturation measurement in the Apple Watch, awarding damages of 634 million in favor of the medical technology company, a verdict that adds to other cases about the Apple Watch.
The resolution comes after years of legal battles between the two companies and is part of a larger dispute that includes decisions by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Customs actions, and proceedings in various courts, with multiple patent disputes. In this context, Apple Watch pulse oximetry It has become the epicenter of the conflict.
The verdict and how much Apple will have to pay
The court found that certain Apple Watch features, such as exercise options and heart rate alerts, infringed a Masimo patent related to blood oxygen estimation using optical sensors, which the jury described as patent infringement, in line with others demands for health functions.
Masimo celebrated the ruling as an endorsement of its efforts to protect its technology, while Apple expressed its disagreement and indicated that will appeal the decision to try to overturn it in higher instances, as has happened in other cases convictions for patent infringement.
Apple spokespeople added that the patent in question It expired in 2022 and that Masimo has pursued the company with more than 25 patents in various forums, of which, according to Apple, a substantial part would have been invalidated.
Masimo, based in Irvine, California, insists that Apple recruited key personnel and appropriated pulse oximetry knowledge and technology to integrate them into its watches, claiming the defense of your intellectual property.
Import locks and changes on the Apple Watch
In 2023, the ITC ordered a import ban of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US, concluding that certain implementations infringed on Masimo's patents, something reminiscent of other judgments regarding patents.
To circumvent that ban, Apple temporarily removed SpO2 measurement from its watches and, subsequently, reintroduced a revised version in August with the approval of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The ITC has now opened a new exam to decide whether updated Apple models should remain subject to the import restriction.
Meanwhile, Masimo is pursuing a lawsuit against Customs over that approval, while Apple is challenging the ITC's order in a federal appeals court, demonstrating that the The struggle continues on several fronts.
Other milestones in the Apple–Masimo dispute
In addition to the patents, Masimo accused Apple of poaching employees and misappropriating trade secrets; that case ended in 2023 with a mistrial due to the jury's failure to reach a unanimous verdict, leaving the patents unresolved. accusations of trade secrets, in a context of multiple patent lawsuits.
Conversely, Apple achieved a symbolic verdict in Delaware $250 for the alleged infringement of two design patents by Masimo smartwatches, amid various Apple Watch patents.
What changes for users in Spain and Europe?
The ITC rulings affect imports into the United States and do not automatically extend to other markets. The European Union has its own regulatory frameworks, and to date, no equivalent announced prohibition exists for Apple Watch.
For those who buy or use an Apple Watch in Spain, availability and support should not change in the short term. However, if Apple adjusts features globally to comply with regulatory or judicial decisions, changes may occur. possible software adjustments which should be closely monitored.
What remains to be decided
Apple is preparing its appeal against the 634 million verdict, and the ITC will decide whether watches with the revised technology should maintain the restrictions or not.
With cross-claims, regulatory reviews, and pending appeals, the timelines could stretch for months. Until there are final resolutions, the case will continue to be marked by... regulatory uncertainty and by tactical moves by both companies.
The ruling in California increases the pressure in a dispute that mixes intellectual property, business decisions, and product strategies: between the $634 million and the new ITC review, the The outcome will determine how health functions are implemented in Apple smartwatches and Masimo's competitive position.