Apple Owes Masimo $634M in Patent Infringement Case

Apple Ordered to Pay Masimo $634 Million in Patent Infringement Case

A California federal jury delivered a verdict on Friday, determining that Apple is obligated to compensate Masimo, a medical device manufacturer, with $634 million. This ruling stems from a patent infringement concerning technology used for blood oxygen monitoring.

Patent Violation Findings

According to reports from Reuters, the jury concluded that features within the Apple Watch, specifically its workout mode and heart rate notification capabilities, directly infringed upon Masimo’s existing patent.

Masimo released a statement expressing their satisfaction with the outcome. They characterized the decision as a “significant win” in their continuous efforts to safeguard their innovations and intellectual property. Protecting these rights is vital for the development of patient-benefiting technologies.

Apple's Response and Planned Appeal

A representative for Apple issued a statement asserting that the verdict is “contrary to the facts” and indicated the company’s intention to file an appeal against the ruling.

The spokesperson highlighted that Masimo primarily operates as a medical device company without direct consumer sales. They further noted that over the past six years, Masimo has initiated multiple legal actions against Apple, asserting claims over more than 25 patents, many of which have been deemed invalid.

Apple also pointed out that the specific patent at the center of this case expired in 2022. It pertains to older patient monitoring technology developed decades ago.

The Core of the Legal Dispute

The legal conflict between Masimo and Apple centers around pulse oximetry. This technology utilizes an optical sensor to measure blood flow.

Masimo alleges that Apple engaged in the recruitment of its employees, including its former chief medical officer, and subsequently infringed upon its patents related to pulse oximetry technology.

Previous Rulings and Current Actions

In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in favor of Masimo. This resulted in a ban on Apple importing Apple Watches equipped with blood oxygen-monitoring features – explaining the feature’s absence in recent Apple Watch models.

Subsequently, Apple announced in August of this year a revised version of the feature. This new implementation is designed to bypass the import ban by measuring and calculating blood oxygen levels on the user’s paired iPhone, rather than directly on the Apple Watch.

Ongoing Legal Battles

Masimo is currently pursuing legal action against U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This suit challenges the agency’s approval of Apple Watch imports featuring the new blood oxygen implementation.

Simultaneously, Apple has appealed to a higher court, seeking to overturn the original import ban.

Counterclaims and Previous Verdicts

Apple also filed a countersuit against Masimo. A jury found that Masimo had violated Apple’s design patents, resulting in a statutory minimum payment of $250 to Apple.

This article has been updated to include additional details from Apple’s official statement.