Unraveling the Legal Web: Apple's Health Tech in the Crosshairs of Patent Litigation
Apple's Resumption of Blood-Oxygen Monitoring and Masimo's Immediate Response
Apple has reactivated the blood-oxygen saturation measurement capability in its Apple Watch devices following an import clearance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This reinstatement, however, has swiftly drawn a legal challenge from Masimo Corp., a medical technology firm. Masimo has initiated a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., contending that the Customs agency's reversal of its prior decision was executed improperly and without due notification to the company.
Masimo's Allegations of Customs Overreach in Patent Enforcement
Masimo's lawsuit asserts that the Customs agency lacked the appropriate jurisdiction to bypass an existing International Trade Commission (ITC) exclusion order. This order, established in 2023, had previously prohibited the importation of Apple's Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches into the U.S., citing Apple's infringement of Masimo's proprietary pulse oximetry technology. Masimo argues that Customs' action effectively undermined the ITC's directive, creating unauthorized exemptions.
The Centrality of Apple Watch's Health Capabilities in the Ongoing Legal Battle
The core of the conflict revolves around the blood-oxygen monitoring technology integrated into the Apple Watch since 2020. Masimo has long accused Apple of illicitly acquiring its trade secrets and poaching personnel to develop this feature. Beyond the ITC ruling, Masimo has multiple pending lawsuits against Apple, encompassing allegations of patent infringement and theft of confidential information. Apple has previously offered redesigned Watch models in the U.S. without the contested feature, while unaffected versions remained globally available. The reintroduction of the feature is facilitated through a software update for specific Apple Watch models, requiring watchOS 11.6.1 and iOS 18.6.1.
The Strategic Importance of Digital Health for Apple and the Broader Market Landscape
Apple has strategically positioned the Apple Watch as a cornerstone of its digital health and wellness initiatives, with aspirations extending to advanced functionalities like non-invasive glucose measurement. The burgeoning market for health-focused smartwatches is witnessing intensified competition, with major players such as Samsung and Alphabet's Google actively developing their own innovative health monitoring solutions. Masimo is currently seeking a court injunction to revoke the Customs ruling and reimpose the import restrictions on Apple Watches equipped with blood-oxygen tracking capabilities. Apple has yet to comment on these recent legal proceedings.