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. This is a significant win in Masimo's ongoing efforts to protect its innovations and intellectual property, which is crucial to its ability to develop technology that benefits patients, according to a statement from the company. Masimo remains committed to defending its IP rights moving forward. The verdict was reached after a lengthy legal dispute between Masimo and Apple, which centers on pulse oximetry, a technology that uses an optical sensor to detect blood flow. 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 allegedly infringed on Masimo's patents. Masimo's statement emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property in the development of medical technology. "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," the company said. Apple, on the other hand, plans to appeal the verdict, according to a spokesperson who noted that the patent in question expired in 2022 and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago. The dispute between Masimo and Apple has significant implications for the medical technology industry. Pulse oximetry is a widely used technology in hospitals and clinics, and the patent infringement allegations have raised questions about the ownership and development of this technology. The verdict may also set a precedent for other companies that develop medical technology and seek to protect their intellectual property. Apple has not commented further on the verdict, but the company is expected to appeal the decision. The case is likely to continue in the courts for some time, with both sides presenting their arguments and evidence. In the meantime, the medical technology industry will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds and what implications it may have for the development and use of pulse oximetry technology. The U.S. International Trade Commission's ban on Apple's imports in 2023 was a significant development in the case, and the verdict may be seen as a vindication of Masimo's efforts to protect its intellectual property. The company's commitment to defending its IP rights moving forward suggests that it is willing to take on the challenge of protecting its innovations in the courts. As the case continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the medical technology industry responds to the verdict and what implications it may have for the development and use of pulse oximetry technology.