Apple hit with $634m verdict in Apple Watch patent fight with Masimo

Apple has been hit with a major blow after a California federal jury ordered the company to pay $634 million to Masimo, ruling that the Apple Watch infringed on a key Masimo patent related to low-power pulse oximetry.

The decision marks a significant turn in the ongoing clash between Apple and Masimo, a medical-tech company that has repeatedly accused the tech giant of misusing its innovations.

The court sided with Masimo after determining that the Apple Watch operates as a “patient monitor” under the definition of Masimo’s patent.

Masimo argued that features like high-heart-rate alerts demonstrated the device’s monitoring capabilities.

However, Apple maintained that the Apple Watch is a consumer wearable, not a continuous-monitoring medical device, and therefore falls outside the scope of the patent.

The verdict applies to more than 43 million Apple Watch units sold with the disputed blood-oxygen feature.

While Apple sought to limit damages to as little as $3 million, Masimo pushed for a far higher figure.

Notably, Masimo has called the ruling a major affirmation of its intellectual property rights. 

Apple, meanwhile, noted that Masimo has launched repeated legal attacks and insists many of the company’s claims have been deemed invalid.