Apple Hit With $634 Million Verdict in Major Smartwatch Patent Case
In a significant legal blow, a federal jury in California ruled that Apple must pay $634 million to medical-technology company Masimo after determining that the Apple Watch infringed Masimo’s patented blood-oxygen monitoring technology.
According to Masimo, Apple’s workout mode and heart-rate notification features made unauthorized use of its patented innovations—an issue at the heart of their long-running legal dispute.
Apple Pushes Back and Plans to Appeal
Apple quickly responded to the verdict, stating it disagrees with the jury’s findings and intends to appeal the decision.
An Apple spokesperson argued that Masimo has repeatedly sued the company for years, claiming:
Most of Masimo’s 25+ asserted patents have been invalidated,
and the patent in this case expired in 2022 and relates to older patient-monitoring technology.
Masimo Celebrates a “Significant Win”
Masimo hailed the ruling as a victory for its ongoing mission to protect its intellectual property. The California-based medical-device leader has long accused Apple of:
- Hiring Masimo employees, and
- Copying its pulse-oximetry technology for use in Apple Watch models.
This jury decision marks one of the largest financial wins in the company’s battle against Apple.
How the Dispute Escalated Into a Multi-Front Legal War
The conflict between Apple and Masimo has been unfolding across multiple courts and regulatory bodies. Key moments include:
1. U.S. Import Ban on Apple Watches (2023)
A U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling found that Apple’s blood-oxygen technology infringed Masimo’s patents. As a result:
- Imports of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were temporarily blocked.
2. Apple’s Response: Removing and Reintroducing Features
To comply with the import restrictions, Apple removed the blood-oxygen reading feature from its watches.
Later, it reintroduced updated technology after securing approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
3. New ITC Review Underway
On the same day as the jury verdict, the ITC agreed to launch a new proceeding to determine whether Apple’s latest design changes still infringe Masimo’s patents.
Ongoing Legal Cases Between Apple and Masimo
The corporate clash shows no signs of slowing:
- Masimo is suing U.S. Customs over its decision to allow Apple’s updated watches into the country.
- Apple is challenging the ITC import ban in federal appeals court.
- A 2023 trade-secret case between the companies ended in a mistrial.
- Apple won a symbolic $250 verdict against Masimo in a separate Delaware design-patent case.
What This Could Mean for the Future of Smartwatch Innovation
The verdict underscores the high stakes of health-technology development in the wearables industry. As companies continue to push advanced medical features into consumer devices, intellectual-property battles are likely to intensify.
The Apple–Masimo feud is shaping up to be one of the most consequential legal battles in the history of smartwatch technology—and the latest $634 million judgment is far from the final chapter.
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