Masimo Wins $634 Million Verdict in Apple Watch Patent Dispute

A federal jury in California has ruled in favor of Masimo in its patent dispute with Apple, related to the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen monitoring feature. The jury awarded Masimo a total of $634 million in damages, determining that Apple infringed on a Masimo patent associated with low power pulse oximeter technology.

Key Details of the Case

The central issue was the classification of the Apple Watch as a “patient monitor” under Masimo’s patent. Masimo argued that the Apple Watch’s capabilities, notably its high heart rate notification feature, qualify it as such. This feature reportedly operates with a sensitivity of 95% for detecting elevated heart rates, supporting Masimo’s claim.

• Case Background: This case revolved around patent no. 10,433,776, which expired in 2022.
• Jury Verdict: Awarded damages of $634 million for infringing on Masimo’s patent.
• Apple’s Position: Stated that the “patient monitor” definition pertains exclusively to devices that offer continuous monitoring.

The Arguments Presented

Masimo contended that the Apple Watch’s feature effectively performs as a patient monitoring tool, while Apple responded that the notification feature is active only when the user is still for at least ten minutes. This distinction was crucial to Apple’s defense.

The jury’s conclusion defines the Apple Watch within the scope of Masimo’s patent, leading to the infringement finding. As a result, the $634 million award pertains to the estimated 43 million units sold that feature the blood oxygen monitoring technology.

Responses from Both Companies

In light of the jury’s decision, Masimo hailed the ruling as a key victory in its ongoing efforts to safeguard its innovations and intellectual property. Apple, however, expressed intentions to appeal the verdict. A spokesperson stated that Masimo has previously pursued Apple across multiple courts, asserting over 25 patents, most of which have been deemed invalid.

Apple’s representative further commented on the expired patent, emphasizing its relevance to historic monitoring technologies rather than current advancements.

Ongoing Patent Disputes

This verdict is separate from a related case currently under review by the International Trade Commission, which also involves Apple Watch’s blood oxygen functionalities. The outcome of this ongoing dispute could have further implications for both companies in the technology and healthcare industries.