Jury Orders Apple to Pay $634M to Masimo for Patent Infringement

A federal jury in California has ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million for infringing on a patent related to blood oxygen monitoring technology. This ruling emphasizes the significance of intellectual property in the tech and medical device industries.

Key Details of the Case

The jury determined that features in the Apple Watch, particularly the workout mode and heart rate notifications, violated Masimo’s patent. Masimo expressed satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the importance of protecting innovations critical to patient care.

Masimo’s Statement

• Masimo stated the ruling is a significant win in its efforts to safeguard intellectual property.
• The company remains committed to defending its rights in the future.

Apple’s Reaction

An Apple spokesperson announced plans to appeal the decision. They highlighted that the disputed patent expired in 2022 and pertains to older patient monitoring technologies.

Background of the Legal Dispute

The ongoing legal battle centers around pulse oximetry, a technology that employs optical sensors to monitor blood flow. Masimo has accused Apple of poaching its employees, including a chief medical officer, and infringing on patents related to this technology.

Regulatory Actions

In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission sided with Masimo, imposing a ban on importing Apple Watches equipped with blood oxygen monitoring functions. This ban has resulted in Apple Watches lacking these features in recent years.

Apple’s New Feature Implementation

In response to regulatory challenges, Apple announced in August 2023 a new method of blood oxygen measurement that circumvents the ban. This new approach calculates readings using the user’s iPhone instead of the Apple Watch.

Ongoing Litigation

• Masimo is pursuing legal action against U.S. Customs and Border Protection for approving imports of the newly designed Apple Watches.
• Apple has initiated an appeal to reverse the import ban.

Counterclaims and Additional Legal Proceedings

In a counter-suit, Apple previously won a nominal payment of $250 after a jury found that Masimo had violated Apple’s design patents.

This case underscores the complexities of patent law in the fast-evolving technology landscape, as companies navigate innovation and legal compliance.