Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Patent Dispute: Apple Ordered to Pay $634 Million

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In order to resolve a patent dispute regarding Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring, Apple is required to pay

medical tech startup Masimo $634 million.

A federal jury determined that Masimo's patents were violated by the Apple Watch's fitness mode and heart-rate notification functions, according to Reuters. Apple informs Reuters that Masimo has been going from court to court in an attempt to win, and the company intends to file an appeal.


"The single patent in this case expired in 2022 and is specific to historic patient-monitoring technology from decades ago," alleges Apple.

Since 2020, when Apple unveiled the Series 6 smartwatch with blood oxygen monitoring, which can be used to provide early warning for conditions like cardiac problems or sleep apnea, Masimo and Apple have been embroiled in a protracted legal struggle. Masimo filed a lawsuit in district court before bringing the matter before the International Trade Commission (ITC) after accusing Apple of stealing Masimo workers to assist in the development of this sensor. Apple was forced to halt sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 when the ITC decided in Masimo's favor in 2023.

After removing the blood oxygen monitoring through a software update, Apple brought it back in August with a new workaround. Masimo filed a second lawsuit as a result, accusing US Customs and Border Protection of permitting the importation of the timepieces. The matter is still pending.

The $634 million ruling is only "one branch of a contentious, multi-front patent fight" between the two businesses, according to Reuters. The ITC will determine whether Apple's timepieces continue to infringe Masimo's patents and therefore be prohibited once more.