Apple to Pay Masimo $634M After Losing Patent Infringement Case
▼ Summary
– A federal jury ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million for patent infringement related to blood oxygen monitoring technology in Apple Watch features.
– Masimo stated the ruling protects its intellectual property and supports its patient-focused technology development.
– Apple plans to appeal, arguing the patent expired in 2022 and pertains to outdated patient monitoring technology.
– The U.S. International Trade Commission previously banned imports of Apple Watches with blood oxygen features, leading Apple to develop an iPhone-based workaround.
– Masimo is suing U.S. Customs for approving the new Apple Watch imports, while Apple has countersued and won a minimal $250 payment from Masimo.
A federal jury in California has ordered Apple to pay medical technology firm Masimo a substantial $634 million for infringing patents related to blood oxygen monitoring. The decision centers on allegations that Apple Watch features, including workout mode and heart rate notifications, unlawfully used Masimo’s protected intellectual property.
Masimo described the ruling as a major victory for safeguarding its innovations. A company statement emphasized that defending intellectual property is essential for advancing patient-focused technology. Apple, however, intends to challenge the verdict, pointing out that the patent in question expired in 2022 and pertains to older patient monitoring systems.
The conflict between the two companies revolves around pulse oximetry, a method for optically measuring blood flow. Masimo has long contended that Apple recruited key personnel, such as its chief medical officer, and improperly integrated patented pulse oximetry advances into Apple Watch. In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission supported Masimo’s claims, imposing an import ban on Apple Watches equipped with blood oxygen monitoring capabilities. This restriction explains why recent Apple Watch models have lacked this health feature.
In response, Apple unveiled a redesigned approach this past August. The new system shifts blood oxygen measurement and computation from the Apple Watch to a paired iPhone, aiming to bypass the import prohibition. Masimo has since filed suit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection for allowing these modified watches into the country. Simultaneously, Apple has petitioned an appeals court to lift the import ban entirely.
In a separate legal action, Apple countersued Masimo, resulting in a nominal $250 award after a jury determined Masimo infringed upon Apple’s design patents. This ongoing legal battle underscores the fiercely competitive and litigious environment surrounding health technology and intellectual property rights.
(Source: TechCrunch)
