Apple Wins $250 in Patent Case Against Masimo Over Discontinued Smartwatch Models

The jury determined that Masimo infringed on Apple's patents related to health technology in older smartwatch models that are no longer on the market.

A Delaware jury has sided with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in a patent infringement case against Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ:MASI), awarding the Cupertino company a symbolic $250 in damages.

What Happened: The jury decided that Masimo infringed on Apple’s patents related to health technology in older smartwatch models that are no longer on the market, reported Reuters.

The lawsuit, initiated by Apple in 2022, accused Masimo of infringing on two design patents to enhance its own smartwatch offerings. The jury found that Masimo’s discontinued Freedom and W1 smartwatches violated Apple’s patents, but current Masimo products were not found to infringe.

Apple’s legal team sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, but this request was denied by the jury. Apple expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating it protects their innovations.

"We're pleased that the jury found Masimo infringed on our patents and awarded damages. This verdict underscores the importance of protecting our innovations, which ultimately benefit our users."

Meanwhile, Masimo viewed the verdict as a victory, emphasizing that the infringement ruling applied only to outdated models.

"We are pleased that the jury found no infringement of Apple's patents by any Masimo products currently on the market and that the verdict relates solely to two older models of smartwatches that Masimo discontinued several years ago."

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The legal battle between Apple and Masimo has been ongoing, with Masimo previously accusing Apple of poaching its employees and copying its pulse oximetry technology.

Masimo had filed a countersuit against Apple, alleging that the company stole trade secrets related to pulse oximetry technology for its Apple Watch. A Delaware jury rejected Masimo's claims in that case last year.

Both companies are engaged in the development and sale of smartwatches and other wearable devices, making their legal dispute a point of contention in the consumer tech space.

Why It Matters: Earlier this year, Apple managed to avoid an import ban on its latest Apple Watch models by redesigning the product, a move that temporarily safeguarded its sales in the U.S. market. However, this decision is not final and could be challenged by the U.S. International Trade Commission.

In response to the looming ban, Apple released versions of its watches without the blood oxygen feature, ensuring continued sales in the U.S.

This strategic adjustment highlights Apple’s adaptability in the face of legal challenges.

Meanwhile, Masimo’s CEO Joe Kiani has publicly criticized the reliability of Apple's blood oxygen monitoring feature, underscoring the competitive tensions between the two firms.