Judge awards symbolic $250 damages to Apple in latest lawsuit against Masimo

The legal battles between Apple and Masimo have now taken a small step forward

A Delaware jury found smartwatch maker Masimo guilty of violating Apple’s rights. Apple Watch health technology patents, but limited them to older smartwatch models that are no longer sold, and awarded the firm the minimum damages it could legally recover.

The suit just decided, Apple accused Masimo infringed two of its own design patents in 2022 to “make way for its own watches.” The jury has now found Masimo guilty of charges relating to the former Masimo Freedom and W1 smartwatches, but said the company was not guilty of infringing on any current products.

He awarded Apple a token $250 in compensationlegal minimum violation. Apple’s lawyers sought an injunction against the sale of Masimo’s current products, which they said infringed Apple’s patents, but that charge was rejected by a jury. Reuters reported.

Apple said in a statement that it was satisfied that the decision “will protect the innovation we advance on behalf of our customers.” Masimo said that “Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo in this matter.”

Calling Apple’s lawsuit retaliatory, Masimo noted that the jury found on its behalf on “almost” all the issues in dispute and that the patent infringement decision only related to the “discontinued module and charger.”

Why are there no blood oxygen readings in current Apple Watch models?

Two companies have been embroiled in a fight over smartwatch technology for health. Masimo has previously accused Apple of recruiting its employees and copying aspects of its pulse oximetry technology after collaboration talks failed.

Masimo achieved a significant victory in his claims in 2023 when the U.S. International Trade Commission import temporarily blocked Apple Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches. Apple is appealing the verdict, but has complied with the ITC’s decision by disabling the feature.

It was then that Apple Watch sales were resumed. Current Apple Watch models still include blood oxygen measurement technology, but it remains disabled until the dispute is resolved.

Users of older Apple Watch models, up to the Apple Watch Series 8, can still use the controversial blood oxygen measurement feature.

Apple may appeal this decision, which could result in the dispute taking longer to resolve. Masimo has now achieved a decisive victory against Apple through both the ITC and the jury trial, which may be enough to force Apple executives to rethink their current legal strategy.

In addition, the CEO of Masimo resigned from his position in September 2024. However, Joe Kiani’s move was not related to the Apple Watch controversy.