Apple Inc. (AAPL) achieved a legal victory on Friday when a federal jury determined that earlier versions of Masimo’s (MASI) smartwatches infringed two of Apple’s design patents. This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing intellectual property dispute between the tech giant and the health monitoring company.
Jury Finds Masimo’s Watches Willfully Infringe Apple’s Patents
The jury, convened in Delaware, agreed with Apple’s claims that previous iterations of Masimo’s W1 and Freedom smartwatches and their chargers willfully violated Apple’s patent rights. However, the jury awarded Apple only $250 in damages—the statutory minimum for patent infringement in the United States.
While Apple’s legal team emphasized that the primary objective of the lawsuit was not monetary compensation, but rather to secure an injunction against Masimo’s smartwatch sales, the jury’s findings were mixed. They determined that Masimo’s current watch models did not infringe Apple’s patents regarding the specific features that Apple had accused Masimo of copying.
Masimo’s Response to the Verdict
In response to the verdict, Masimo expressed appreciation for the jury’s decision, stating it favored Masimo on nearly all significant issues. The company highlighted that the ruling pertained to a “discontinued module and charger,” indicating a limitation in the scope of Apple’s victory. Masimo stated, “Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo on that issue.”
Conversely, Apple released a statement expressing satisfaction with the jury’s decision, asserting it would protect the innovations developed for its customers.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle stems from Masimo’s allegations that Apple hired its employees and misappropriated its pulse oximetry technology after discussions about a potential collaboration. Last year, Masimo succeeded in persuading the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to block imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches. The ITC found that Apple’s technology for measuring blood oxygen levels infringed upon Masimo’s patents.
Apple has since appealed this decision and resumed selling the watches after removing the contested technology. Additionally, Apple countersued Masimo in 2022 for patent infringement, claiming that Masimo copied features from the Apple Watch for use in its own smartwatches.
Ongoing Litigation
Furthermore, Apple accused Masimo of using litigation at the ITC and in California as tactics to promote Masimo’s own smartwatch line. Masimo characterized Apple’s patent lawsuit as “retaliatory” and an attempt to evade the court where both companies had been engaged in litigation.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the outcome of these patent disputes will likely have significant implications for both companies and the smartwatch market as a whole.
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