Apple and Masimo’s legal battles have now taken a small step forward
A Delaware jury has found smartwatch maker Masimo guilty of infringing Apple’s Apple Watch patents on health technology, but limited it to only older smartwatch models that are no longer sold, and awarded the firm the least damages it legally could.
In the suit just decided, Apple accused Masimo in 2022 of infringing two of its own design patents to “make way for its own watch.” The jury has now found Masimo guilty of the charge for Masimo’s former Freedom and W1 smartwatches, but said the company was not guilty of infringement on any current products.
It awarded Apple a token $250 in damages, the legal minimum for infringement. Apple’s attorneys had sought a sales injunction against current Masimo products it said were infringing Apple’s patents, but that charge was denied by the jury, Reuters has reported.
Apple said in a statement that it was pleased that the ruling “will protect the innovations we advance on behalf of our customers.” Masimo said that “Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo on that issue.”
Calling Apple’s suit retaliatory, Masimo noted that the jury ruled on its behalf on “nearly” all the disputed issues, and that the patent infringement decision applied only “a discontinued module and charger.”
Why current Apple Watch models lack blood oxygen readings
The two companies have been embroiled in a fight over smartwatch health technology. Masimo has previously accused Apple of hiring away its employees and copying aspects of its pulse oximetry technology following failed collaboration talks.
Masimo scored a significant victory in its claims in 2023, when the US International Trade Commission temporarily blocked imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches. Apple is appealing that verdict, but complied with the ITC ruling by disabling the feature.
It was then was able to resume sales of the Apple Watch. Current models of the Apple Watch continue to include the blood oxygen sensing technology, but it remains disabled until the dispute is settled.
Users with older Apple Watch models, up to the Apple Watch Series 8, can still use the disputed blood oxygen measuring feature.
Apple could appeal this most recent decision, forcing the dispute to take longer to resolve. Masimo has now won decisive victories against Apple with both the ITC and a juried trial, which may be enough to get Apple executives to rethink its current legal strategy.
Separately, Masimo’s CEO stepped down from the role in September 2024. Joe Kiani’s move was not, however, related to the Apple Watch dispute.
