Apple Ordered to Pay $634M for Infringing Medical Device Patent

A federal jury in California ruled Friday that Apple must pay medical device maker Masimo $634 million for infringing a patent on blood oxygen monitoring technology. The jury found that the Apple Watch's workout mode and heart rate notification features violated Masimo's patent. The verdict is a significant win for Masimo, which has been engaged in a long-standing legal dispute with Apple over pulse oximetry technology. Masimo's chief executive officer, Joe Kiani, stated, "This is a significant win in our ongoing efforts to protect our innovations and intellectual property, which is crucial to our ability to develop technology that benefits patients. We remain committed to defending our IP rights moving forward." Masimo has accused Apple of hiring away its employees, including its chief medical officer, and infringing its patents on pulse oximetry technology. The U.S. International Trade Commission sided with Masimo in 2023, banning Apple from importing certain products that infringed on Masimo's patents. Pulse oximetry is a technology that uses an optical sensor to detect blood flow and measure oxygen levels in the blood. It is commonly used in medical settings, such as hospitals and clinics, to monitor patients' vital signs. Apple's Apple Watch has incorporated this technology into its fitness tracking features, which allow users to monitor their heart rate and other health metrics. An Apple spokesperson told Reuters that the company plans to appeal the verdict, stating, "The single patent in this case expired in 2022, and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago." The company has not yet commented further on the matter. The verdict is likely to have significant implications for the tech industry, particularly in the field of wearable technology. As more companies develop and market wearable devices that incorporate medical technologies, the risk of patent infringement and intellectual property disputes is likely to increase. The case highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the tech industry, particularly in areas where innovation is rapid and competition is fierce. Masimo's CEO, Joe Kiani, emphasized the need for companies to defend their IP rights, stating, "We remain committed to defending our IP rights moving forward." The next developments in the case are unclear, but Apple's appeal is likely to be a significant factor in determining the final outcome. The company's decision to appeal the verdict suggests that it will continue to contest the patent infringement claims, and the case is likely to be ongoing for some time.