In the constant technology patent infringement war, wherein Apple often fights several legal battles at once, the latest case could theoretically lead to the ban of Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models in the United States.
In 2021, Masimo, a company that makes medical-grade gadgets, sued Apple, saying that the blood oxygen monitoring feature of the Watch Series 6 broke five of its patents for pulse oximeters. On Last Tuesday, a judge from the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple did in fact break one of Masimo’s pulse oximeter patents.
While Apple wasn’t found guilt on patent infringement on the other four patents, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) will now decide whether to ban the import of Apple Watch models that can monitor blood oxygen. The final decision is expected to be made on May 10th.
“We are happy that the judge recognized Apple’s infringement of Masimo’s pulse oximetry technology and took this critical first step toward accountability,” said Masimo CEO Joe Kiani in a statement. “Today’s decision should help restore fairness in the market. Apple has similarly infringed on other companies’ technologies, and we believe today’s ruling exposes Apple as a company that takes other companies’ innovations and repackages them.”
Apple, in turn, offered the following comment:
“We respectfully disagree with today’s decision and look forward to a full review by the Commission.”
It seems difficult to imagine every Apple Watch from the Series 6 on being banned throughout the United States, and offs are that the ruling would probably be taken to a higher judicial institution and also appealed afterward. Apple could theoretically settle with Masimo, which could receive a large settlement payment and call that a fair deal.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via Phone Arena