A federal jury in California has ruled that Apple Inc. owes $634 million to Masimo Corporation for infringing on a patent related to blood-oxygen reading technology, specifically concerning features used in the Apple Watch. The jury supported Masimo’s claim that Apple’s workout mode and heart rate notifications violated its patent rights, an assertion confirmed by a spokesperson for Masimo.
In response to the verdict, an Apple representative expressed the company’s disagreement and announced plans to appeal the decision. Masimo hailed the ruling as a significant victory in its ongoing battle to protect its innovations and intellectual property.
This verdict is part of a broader legal dispute between the two companies, which has seen multiple accusations from Masimo, including claims that Apple recruited its employees to gain access to proprietary pulse oximetry technology. A consequential outcome from this ongoing feud was the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) blocking the import of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches earlier this year, finding that they infringed on Masimo’s patents. In response to avoid a ban on blood-oxygen reading technology, Apple removed the feature temporarily before reintroducing an updated version, which received approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in August.
The ITC has initiated a new proceeding to evaluate if the revised models of Apple’s watches should remain banned. This legal entanglement is compounded by Masimo’s lawsuit against U.S. Customs regarding the import decision, while Apple continues to contest the ban in federal appeals court.
Adding to the complexities of the rivalry, a California judge declared a mistrial in an earlier trade-secret lawsuit filed by Masimo against Apple, after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Apple managed to secure a minimal $250 verdict against Masimo in Delaware over claims that its smartwatches infringed on two Apple design patents.
This ruling underscores the ongoing tensions in the technology sector, where patent infringement claims are commonplace and can significantly impact product offerings and market strategies. While the situation is contentious, it reflects the importance of innovation and intellectual property rights in driving competition and technological advances. The resolution of these disputes could pave the way for clearer market dynamics and inspire further innovation within the industry.
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