A federal jury has awarded Masimo $634 million in a high-stakes patent battle with Apple. As reported by the Daily Journal, the dispute centers on the pulse-oximetry technology in the Apple Watch.
The jury found that Apple infringed on all four of Masimo’s asserted patent claims. This decision concludes a long-running fight over whether Apple integrated Masimo’s medical-grade monitoring technology into its popular consumer smartwatches.
The case hinged on a critical definition: can the Apple Watch legally be considered a “patient monitor”? Masimo argued that it could, and the jury ultimately agreed, applying this label to certain Apple Watch models sold between 2020 and 2022.
According to the report, Masimo’s legal team pointed to Apple’s own marketing, which has called the device the “most used heart rate monitor in the world.” They successfully argued that the watch’s ability to detect high heart rates at rest met the patent’s requirements.
Apple’s counsel argued that the Apple Watch does not function as a true clinical monitor, as it is not designed for continuous monitoring and could miss critical medical events. The company contended that any potential damages should be limited to a fraction of the final award, somewhere between $3 million and $6 million. Masimo, on the other hand, had sought royalties for features integrated into an estimated 43 million watches.
In a statement, Apple confirmed it disagrees with the decision and intends to appeal. The company stated the patent in question expired in 2022 and relates to “historic patient monitoring technology.”
This case is part of a broader, years-long legal fight between the two companies. It follows a separate trade-secrets lawsuit that ended in a mistrial last year and an International Trade Commission (ITC) import ban that previously led Apple to redesign some features.
What are your thoughts on this? Does this change how you see the health features on your Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments. Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
