NEWS  Apple  January 15, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

In the ongoing legal saga between tech giant Apple and medical-monitoring technology company Masimo, a U.S. law enforcement agency has determined that Apple can utilize a redesign to sidestep an import ban on its newer Apple Watch models. The ban, issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), targeted Apple's current Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches, citing patent infringement related to Masimo's blood-oxygen reading pulse oximetry technology.

Apple successfully persuaded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to temporarily halt the import ban just a day after it took effect on December 26. The company has resumed sales of the watches as it challenges the import ruling, asserting that a proposed redesign will address the alleged patent infringement issues. However, the specifics of the redesign, which may involve updates to the watches' software, have not been disclosed publicly.

Masimo, based in Irvine, California, alleges that Apple poached its employees and misappropriated pulse oximetry technology following discussions about potential collaboration. The legal battle commenced in 2020 when Masimo sued Apple for stealing trade secrets and infringing on patents related to blood-oxygen level reading technology. Apple countersued, claiming Masimo's actions were a strategic move to eliminate competition for its W1 smartwatch, released in 2022, which tracks various health indicators, including blood-oxygen levels.

In response to the import ban, Apple informed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency that its redesigned watches no longer incorporate pulse oximetry functionality, as per Masimo's filing with the Federal Circuit on Monday. The details of Apple's communication with U.S. Customs and the agency's decision remain undisclosed to the public. A Masimo spokesperson remarked that Apple's acknowledgment of the redesigned watch's absence of pulse oximetry functionality is a positive step toward accountability.

Despite the ongoing legal battle, Apple asserted on Monday that Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches with blood-oxygen reading capabilities are still available. The Federal Circuit is presently considering whether to extend the pause on the ban or reinstate it. Apple anticipates the appeal process to take at least a year, with a decision on its request to keep the ban paused expected as early as Tuesday.

As this high-stakes legal drama unfolds, both Apple and Masimo continue to present their cases, each contending that the outcome would significantly impact their business, reputation, and the broader public. The technological and legal intricacies surrounding this dispute emphasize the challenges and complexities inherent in the intersection of innovation and intellectual property rights within the tech industry.

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