Apple Fined $634 Million in Apple Watch Patent Dispute
In a notable development within the consumer technology landscape, Apple has been handed a staggering fine of $634 million due to a protracted legal battle with health technology company Masimo. The case centers around allegations that Apple has infringed upon Masimo’s patents related to blood oxygen analysis technology incorporated in the Apple Watch.
This lawsuit originated in 2020 when Masimo filed for legal recourse, asserting that Apple’s blood oxygen monitoring feature violates several of its intellectual property rights. This legal challenge has led to a prohibition on Apple from shipping smartwatches equipped with this feature within the United States—a ban that remains effective to this day. Consequently, while international users of the Apple Watch enjoy the benefits of this feature, U.S. customers are left without this functionality.
Background of the Legal Dispute
Apple was not barred from selling the Apple Watch outright; instead, it had to adapt to the ruling, ensuring that the smartwatches are still saleable although the blood oxygen feature is disabled at the software level for U.S. buyers. The tech giant has managed to implement a workaround that allows users to access blood oxygen monitoring through their iPhones, albeit in a more convoluted manner than originally intended.
The recent jury verdict marks a significant moment, as the $634 million penalty stands as one of the largest fines recorded in a consumer technology case within the Central District of California’s court system. According to reports, Apple is expected to challenge the verdict, with the company taking issue with the ruling and claiming that the patent in context no longer holds validity as it expired in 2022.
What Lies Ahead?
Despite the resolution reached by the jury, the conflict is not yet resolved. Apple has communicated its dissatisfaction with the decision and plans to file an appeal. In statements to industry publications, Apple asserted that Masimo’s claims lack merit, highlighting that the company primarily focuses on medical devices rather than consumer products, which complicates the patent claims being made against them.
For the time being, U.S. consumers will remain unable to utilize the blood oxygen measurement feature on their Apple Watches, while users in other parts of the world will continue as normal. Until the appeal process unfolds and a new decision is issued, it appears that both Apple and Masimo will maintain their firm stances in this ongoing legal saga.
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(Image credit: Michael Sawh)
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