The medical technology company Masimo is involved in an ongoing legal dispute with Apple. The reason for this is some of the health functions integrated into the Apple Watch. Masimo is now seeking a sales ban for the Apple Watch Series 6.
As Bloomberg now reported, Masimo has filed a new patent infringement lawsuit with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), asking the ITC to stop imports of the Apple Watch Series 6. According to the pulse oximetry company, the Apple Watch Series 6 infringes on five Masimo patents related to blood oxygen monitoring. The company specializes in medical pulse oximetry devices. Pulse oximetry is a feature that Apple added to the Apple Watch with the Series 6 model.
Masimo accuses Apple of delaying tactics
Cupertino's smartwatch uses light to detect the amount of oxygen in the blood, combining the feature with heart rate monitoring and ECG functions. Masimo first sued Apple in January 2020 and accused the company to steal trade secrets and misuse Masimo's inventions. Masimo's patents are now being reviewed by the US Patent and Trademark Office because, according to Apple, they do not cover new inventions. So the case is on hold until that process is complete. Masimo has claimed that Apple is trying to sell more Apple Watch models by getting the court to delay litigation until the patents are validated. The delay by the patent office has prompted Masimo to also file a complaint with the ITC because the ITC is conducting the investigation more quickly.
Masimo: “Apple Watch Series 6 ban has no impact on the public”
ITC cases are typically resolved in 15 to 18 months. Due to the speed with which the cases are investigated, the patent office has no time to intervene if Apple also attempts to contest these claims. In the previous lawsuit, Masimo alleged that Apple secretly poached Masimo employees and used patented Masimo technology in the development of the sensors used in the Apple Watch. Furthermore, the pulse oximetry company told the ITC that a ban on the Apple Watch Series 6 will have no impact on the public because the device's pulse oximetry functionality is "not essential to the public health or welfare" and the Apple Watch's blood oxygen monitoring is not a true medical device. Therefore, further developments are sure to remain interesting. Don't have an Apple Watch yet? Then check out our Amazon Storefront over – have fun browsing. (Photo by Luiza Kamalova / Bigstockphoto)
