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That is a major legal verdict. A federal jury in California has indeed ordered Apple to pay medical technology company Masimo $634 million for patent infringement related to the blood oxygen monitoring technology in the Apple Watch.
This is the latest development in a prolonged and highly contentious legal battle between the two companies.
Here is a breakdown of the case and the verdict:
The Verdict and Damages
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Amount: $634 million (The jury found that Apple infringed all four asserted claims of Masimo’s patent).
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Basis for Calculation: The damages were calculated based on the infringement of approximately 43 million Apple Watch units sold between 2020 and 2022.
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The Patent: The dispute centered on Masimo’s Patent No. 10,433,776, which covers low-power pulse oximeter technology—the system used to measure blood oxygen (SpO2) levels efficiently.
Apple’s Argument vs. The Jury’s Finding
The core of the trial revolved around two key issues:
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“Patient Monitor” Definition: Apple argued that the Apple Watch is a consumer device and not a “patient monitor” as defined by the patent. The jury ultimately agreed with Masimo, finding that the Apple Watch—due to features like its high heart rate alert system—qualifies as a patient monitor under the patent’s scope.
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Damages Range: Masimo sought royalties between $634 million and $749 million, while Apple argued damages should be limited to between $3 million and $6 million. The jury sided with Masimo’s calculation.
Context: The Ongoing Legal War
This verdict is just one part of a multi-front legal conflict between the two companies:
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Import Ban: In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in Masimo’s favor on a separate patent, forcing Apple to temporarily suspend sales of certain Apple Watch models (Series 9 and Ultra 2) in the U.S.
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Workaround: Apple later reintroduced the watches with the blood oxygen feature disabled or redesigned to attempt to circumvent the ban. The ITC has since initiated new proceedings to determine if the redesigned versions still infringe on Masimo’s patents.
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Counter-Suits: Apple previously won a countersuit against Masimo in Delaware over design patents, though the damages were minimal ($250).
Apple has publicly stated that it strongly disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal the decision. The case will now move to the appeals court, meaning a final payment is likely years away.