Apple wins US jury verdict worth $250 in patent case over Masimo Smartwatches
Apple convinced a federal jury on Friday that early versions of health monitoring technology company Masimo’s smartwatches infringe on two of its design patents as part of a broader intellectual property dispute between the companies.
The Delaware jury agreed with Apple that earlier versions of Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches and chargers intentionally violated Apple’s patent rights in smartwatch designs.
But the jury awarded the tech giant, which is worth about $3.5 trillion, just $250 in damages — the legal minimum for infringement in the United States.
Apple’s lawyers told the court that the “ultimate goal” of the lawsuit was not money, but to win an injunction against sales of Masimo’s smartwatches following an infringement judgment.
On that front, the jury also found that Masimo’s current watches did not infringe on Apple patents for inventions that the tech giant had accused Masimo of copying.
Masimo said in a statement that it appreciated the jury’s verdict “in favor of Masimo and against Apple on almost all counts,” and that the decision only applied to a “discontinued module and charger.”
“Apple primarily sought a ban on Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo on that front,” Masimo said.
Apple said in a statement that it was “pleased that the jury’s decision today will protect the innovations we bring forward on behalf of our customers.”
Irvine, California-based Masimo accused Apple of hiring employees and stealing its pulse oximetry technology after discussing a potential partnership.
Masimo convinced the U.S. International Trade Commission last year to block imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches after the commission found that their technology for measuring blood oxygen levels infringed on Masimo’s patents.
Apple appealed the decision and continued selling the watches after the technology was removed. The tech giant sued Masimo in 2022 for patent infringement, claiming Masimo copied Apple Watch features for use in its smartwatches.
Apple also accused Masimo of using lawsuits at the ITC and in California to “make way for Masimo’s own watch.”
Masimo said Apple’s patent lawsuit was “retaliatory” and “an attempt to avoid the court in which the parties litigated their dispute.”
© Thomson Reuters 2024
