A federal jury in California has found that Apple Inc. must pay Masimo Corporation US$634 million for infringing a patent related to blood-oxygen monitoring technology (pulse-oximetry) used in the Apple Watch.
The jury determined that features in the Apple Watch — specifically the workout mode and heart rate notification functions — violated Masimo’s patent.
Apple has said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal.
Background of the Case
- Masimo, a medical-technology company specialising in monitoring devices, accused Apple of using its patented pulse-oximetry technology without permission.
- The patent in question covers light-based blood-oxygen measurement and certain “patient monitor” applications, according to Masimo’s case.
- The ruling covers roughly 43 million Apple Watch units sold between 2020 and 2022 that incorporated the disputed features.
- Prior to this verdict, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) had blocked imports of certain Apple Watch models (Series 9, Ultra 2) because of the patent dispute.
Why It Matters
- This judgement is substantial: US$634 million is a major payout for patent infringement in consumer-tech.
- It underscores how health-monitoring features in consumer electronics are now high-stakes legal territory — what looks like a “fitness feature” may cross into medical-device patent lands.
- For Apple, this ruling could affect profitability, strategy around health-features in watches and even design choices in future models.
- For Masimo, this verdict is a strong validation of its intellectual-property strategy. They described the result as “a significant win in our ongoing efforts to protect our innovations.”
What Apple’s Position Is
- Apple says that the particular patent in this case expired in 2022. Reuters
- Apple also argues that the patent covers “historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago” and that the watch does not qualify as a “patient monitor” under the legal definition used in the trial.
- The company plans to appeal the verdict and may seek to reduce the damages or overturn the ruling entirely.
Implications for the Smartwatch Market & Health Tech
- Smartwatch makers may now face greater legal risk when adding advanced health-sensing features — even if those seem “consumer” rather than strictly “medical”.
- Companies may invest more in patent-litigation defence and/or licensing health-sensor technology rather than developing everything in-house.
- Regulatory and import-control bodies (like the ITC) may become more aggressive in enforcing patent-based import bans for tech products.
- For users: future health-features might be delayed, modified or come with licensing costs — which may affect pricing or availability of advanced sensor features.
What Happens Next
- Apple will appeal: The legal battle is not over yet. The verdict does not automatically mean immediate payment without further litigation or possible reduction.
- Further review by ITC: The import-ban aspect related to Apple Watch models remains under scrutiny.
- Industry watchers will monitor whether this case becomes a template for other health-sensor patent claims in wearables.
- For Indian customers and manufacturers: While this case is U.S.-based, global supply chains and patent portfolios mean other jurisdictions may look to similar claims — so multinational device makers and local partners need to stay alert.
Final Take
The ruling that Apple must pay Masimo US$634 million for patent infringement marks a landmark moment in the intersection of consumer electronics and medical-monitoring patents. It shows how what once might have been considered “just a fitness feature” is now firmly in the domain of high-stakes intellectual property. For Apple, it’s a costly reminder that innovation must navigate legal minefields as much as technological ones.
