Apple violated a patent belonging to the medical technology company Masimo when it launched Apple Watch models that use light sensors to measure the oxygen level in the blood. This was decided by a judge of the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Tuesday.
Masimo, which develops pulse oximetry devices, is involved in an ongoing dispute with Apple over various health features in some Apple Watch models and has pushed to ban the models in the U.S. Masimo specializes in medical pulse oximetry devices. Pulse oximetry is a feature Apple added to the Apple Watch with the Series 6 model. The feature, found in the Series 6 and later Apple Watch models, uses light to measure oxygen levels in the blood and complements heart rate and ECG monitoring features. In June 2021, Masimo filed a patent infringement lawsuit with the ITC to stop the importation of the Apple Watch Series 6 due to patent infringements related to blood oxygen monitoring. In Tuesday's decision, the judge concluded that four other patents were not infringed.
Will the Apple Watch import ban be enforced?
The ITC will now consider whether to impose an import ban on Apple Watch models that include the blood oxygen monitoring feature, the medical device manufacturer said. The final decision is expected on May 10. Joe Kiani, CEO of Masimo, commented in a statement opposite MD+DI as follows:
We are pleased that the judge recognized Apple's infringement of Masimo's pulse oximetry technology and took this important first step toward accountability. Today's decision should help restore fairness to the marketplace. Apple has similarly infringed on other companies' technologies and we believe today's ruling exposes Apple as a company that takes other companies' innovations and repackages them.
Speaking to Reuters explained Apple:
We disagree with today's decision and look forward to a full review by the Commission.
Masimo initially sued Apple in January 2020, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets and misusing Masimo inventions. In the lawsuit, Masimo claimed that Apple secretly poached Masimo employees and used patented Masimo technologies in developing the sensors used in the Apple Watch. (Image: Apple)
