Apple and Masimo Clash in High-Stakes Patent Battle: A New Chapter in the Smartwatch Saga
1min read The ongoing legal battle between Apple and Masimo over patent issues surrounding the Apple Watch has taken a new turn. The conflict began when Apple employed former Masimo executives to work on the Apple Watch, leading Masimo to accuse Apple of intellectual property theft in 2020. The situation intensified as Masimo claimed that Apple’s blood oxygen monitoring features infringed on their patents, ultimately resulting in a sales ban on certain Apple Watch models by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).
Apple has been actively appealing the ITC's decision, temporarily halting the sales ban. However, the tech giant had to disable the blood oxygen sensor on newer models to comply with ongoing legal rulings. Despite the adversity, Apple has chosen to forego licensing agreements with Masimo, focusing instead on appealing to consumers with other attractive features of the Apple Watch.
In an unexpected twist, Apple launched its own legal counterattack in October 2022, accusing Masimo's W1 series smartwatches of patent infringement. Recently, a jury sided with Apple, finding that Masimo products had indeed violated specific patents, resulting in a minimal award of $250 to Apple. While nominal, this victory emphasized Apple’s focus on pursuing a sales ban against Masimo rather than financial compensation.
The statements from both companies reflect their staunch stances—Apple’s focus remains on restricting Masimo's sales, whereas Masimo maintains that the ruling affects only discontinued products. The addition of other tech giants like Google and Qualcomm, who are incorporating Masimo’s technologies into their wearables, further complicates the landscape of this high-stakes conflict.
The situation underscores a significant shift in the competitive landscape of wearable technology, with powerful stakeholders potentially reshaping innovation and market control. As this legal battle unfolds, the industry's evolution and consumer impact remain pivotal considerations. The next phase of this technological saga promises to reveal more about the future trajectory of the smartwatch market, leaving analysts and consumers alike eager for further developments.
