Apple Hit With $634 Million Verdict in Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Patent Lawsuit
Apple has been hit with a $634 million verdict in the Apple Watch blood oxygen patent lawsuit, raising questions about the company’s innovation strategy and legal challenges. The ruling stems from a patent dispute with medical technology firm Masimo, which claimed Apple infringed on its blood oxygen-sensing technology. Apple plans to appeal the decision, continuing a long-running legal battle over wearable health technology.
What Led to the Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Patent Verdict?
The lawsuit focused on a patent Masimo holds for blood oxygen monitoring technology. According to Masimo, Apple’s Watch Series models violated their intellectual property, prompting the $634 million award. While Apple maintains that most of Masimo’s patent claims were invalid and the key patent expired in 2022, the jury sided with Masimo, underscoring the stakes in wearable health tech IP disputes.
How Did Apple Respond to the Blood Oxygen Feature Ban?
The legal dispute triggered a U.S. sales ban on Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature in December 2023. Apple continued selling affected models temporarily under an interim stay, but the ban resumed in January 2024. Apple responded by releasing updated Watches with the feature disabled via software, keeping its product line active while addressing compliance with the court ruling.
Will Apple Appeal the $634 Million Verdict?
Apple has confirmed plans to appeal the verdict, emphasizing that the patent in question relates to older patient monitoring technology. Legal experts suggest the appeal could take years, and the outcome may influence future wearable health device designs. Meanwhile, Masimo celebrates the ruling as a win for protecting innovation and safeguarding intellectual property.
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