Apple Wins Partial Jury Verdict Against Masimo in Delaware Patent Dispute

Apple has secured a partial victory in a patent dispute against health monitoring technology company Masimo. Apple persuaded a federal jury that two of its smartwatch design patents were infringed upon by Masimo’s W1 and Freedom smartwatches and their charging modules. Following the Delaware jury's decision, Apple was awarded $250 in damages for the infringement.

Apple’s legal team stated that the main objective of their case was to obtain a sales injunction against Masimo's smartwatches. While Apple alleged broader patent violations regarding innovations in its smartwatch technology, the jury favoured Masimo on these claims, clearing the health tech firm of infringing on Apple’s functional patents.

In response, Masimo highlighted that the decision only affects a "discontinued module and charger" and framed the verdict as a broader win. "The jury's decision is a victory for Masimo, as Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo's current products," a spokesperson stated, underscoring that the judgment largely sided with Masimo.

In a statement, Apple emphasized that it was “satisfied” with the partial ruling and hoped it would safeguard its technological advancements for its customers. The verdict is the latest development in a complex legal battle that began after Masimo accused Apple of copying its pulse oximetry technology and poaching its employees following discussions about a potential partnership.

In a separate ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission last year, Masimo successfully persuaded the panel to ban the import of Apple's Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches. The watches were found to infringe on Masimo's patents related to blood oxygen level sensing. After disabling the feature, Apple managed to resume sales and is currently appealing the import ban.

Apple countersued in 2022, claiming Masimo had copied key Apple Watch functionalities. Apple also accused Masimo of leveraging multiple legal avenues, including the ITC and California courts, to gain a competitive edge for Masimo’s smartwatch lineup.

The Delaware decision is unlikely to conclude the intense dispute between the two companies, as Apple continues to pursue a broader injunction to restrict Masimo's products from the market.