Apple Loses Bid to Overturn $634 Million Masimo Patent Verdict
Court upholds jury's decision, denying Apple's appeal for a new trial.
1Case Overview
Apple has been ordered to pay $634 million in damages for infringing Masimo's pulse oximetry patents. The court denied Apple's requests to overturn the verdict and secure a new trial. This ruling marks the latest chapter in the long-standing legal battle between the two companies.
2Masimo's Claims
Masimo accused Apple of stealing trade secrets and infringing patents related to health-monitoring technologies used in the Apple Watch. In 2023, Masimo secured an ITC ruling that led to a U.S. import ban on certain Apple Watch models, forcing Apple to temporarily halt sales.
3Apple's Defense
Apple argued that its products do not qualify as traditional medical equipment and that Masimo's patent is invalid. The company stated that the patent expired in 2022 and was specific to outdated patient-monitoring technology. Apple plans to appeal the decision.
4Court's Decision
U.S. District Judge James V. Selna rejected Apple's appeals and upheld the jury's verdict. The judge ruled that the Apple Watch could be considered a patient-monitoring device under the patent. He also denied Apple's request for a new trial, citing no serious errors in the proceedings.
5Apple Watch's Status
Apple resumed sales of affected Apple Watch models with the blood oxygen feature disabled. In 2025, the company introduced a redesign that processes sensor data on the paired iPhone, displaying results in the Health app. Masimo sued U.S. Customs for allowing imports of the redesigned watches.
6Implications
This ruling highlights the significance of patent battles in the tech and healthcare industries. It demonstrates that even giants like Apple can face severe penalties for patent infringement. Masimo's success reflects the determination of medical tech companies to protect their intellectual property.