A Delaware federal jury has ruled that early versions of Masimo’s health-monitoring smartwatches infringed on two Apple design patents, advancing the ongoing intellectual property dispute between the tech companies.
Apple successfully argued that earlier models of Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches, along with their chargers, wilfully violated Apple’s smartwatch design patents.
Despite the favourable ruling, the jury awarded Apple—a tech giant valued at approximately $3.5 trillion—only $250 in damages, the statutory minimum for patent infringement in the U.S.
Apple’s attorneys clarified that their primary goal was not financial compensation but rather a court injunction to halt Masimo’s smartwatch sales. “The ultimate purpose of our lawsuit was to protect Apple’s innovations, not to seek monetary damages,” Apple stated.
The jury, however, also found that Masimo’s current smartwatch models do not infringe on Apple’s patents, a significant outcome for Masimo.
Masimo’s statement expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying, “Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo on that issue.” The company further noted that the ruling only affects a “discontinued module and charger.”
Apple issued a statement expressing contentment with the partial victory: “We are glad the jury’s decision today will protect the innovations we advance on behalf of our customers.”
The legal battle between Apple and Masimo dates back to claims from Masimo that Apple had poached its employees and misappropriated its pulse oximetry technology after early talks about a potential partnership. Last year, Masimo won a case before the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC), which determined that Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches used technology that infringed on Masimo’s patents for blood oxygen reading.
Consequently, the ITC blocked imports of these models, though Apple resumed sales after removing the contested feature.
Apple countered with its own patent infringement lawsuit in 2022, alleging that Masimo had copied features of the Apple Watch in its own devices.
Apple also claimed that Masimo was using legal manoeuvers, including actions before the ITC and other courts, to clear the path for Masimo’s competing smartwatches.
In response, Masimo labelled Apple’s lawsuit “retaliatory” and an effort to sidestep existing legal proceedings between the two companies.
Boluwatife Enome
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