In a recent court revelation, Masimo, a prominent medical-monitoring technology company, disclosed that Apple has received approval from a U.S. law enforcement agency to employ a redesign, effectively sidestepping an import ban imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on its newer Apple Watch models. This ban, a result of an ongoing patent infringement dispute with Masimo, initially impacted Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches.
The ITC’s import ban, activated on December 26, prompted swift action from Apple. Securing a pause from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on the following day allowed Apple to resume sales of the watches while vigorously challenging the import ruling.
While specifics of the redesign remain undisclosed by Apple, indications suggest a potential update to the watches’ software. In a filing with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, Apple explicitly stated that the redesigned watches «definitively do not contain pulse oximetry functionality,» a pivotal aspect in the patent infringement dispute with Masimo.
Masimo, headquartered in Irvine, California, has leveled accusations against Apple, alleging employee poaching and misappropriation of pulse oximetry technology for integration into Apple Watches following discussions about potential collaboration. Apple, countering Masimo’s claims, filed a lawsuit for patent infringement, framing Masimo’s legal actions as a strategic move to pave the way for a competing smartwatch.
Initiated in 2021, Masimo sought an import and sales ban on Apple Watches allegedly infringing its patents. Last year, the ITC ruled in favor of Masimo, leading to the December 2023 ban. Although Apple briefly suspended sales of the affected watches in the U.S., the Federal Circuit’s intervention allowed a prompt resumption.
With the appeal process expected to extend for at least a year, Apple anticipates a decision on the request to maintain the ban’s pause as early as Tuesday. The Federal Circuit faces the critical decision of either extending the pause or reinstating the ban. Apple argues that enforcing the ban would inflict significant harm on the company, its suppliers, and the public. This latest revelation underscores the intricate nature of the ongoing legal clash between Apple and Masimo, both vying for a favorable resolution in this high-stakes patent infringement dispute.
