WASHINGTON - A U.S. trade tribunal has preliminarily ruled that Apple's current Apple Watches do not infringe patents held by medical tech firm Masimo, rejecting a bid for a new import ban.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) judge determined the redesigned watches avoid infringement on Masimo’s blood-oxygen monitoring technology. The full commission will later decide whether to uphold the finding.
In 2023, the ITC blocked imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches over patent violations. Apple responded by temporarily removing the contested feature, then relaunched it in August with modifications approved by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The changes include displaying blood-oxygen data on connected devices like the iPhone, rather than the watch itself.
Apple called the decision a validation of its design updates, criticizing Masimo for filing numerous claims over six years-most of which have failed. A Masimo spokesperson declined comment.
The companies remain locked in broader litigation, including a California federal case where Masimo won $634 million in damages last November-a verdict Apple plans to appeal.
Danaher Corporation agreed to acquire Masimo in a $9.9 billion deal earlier this year, adding strategic weight to the ongoing dispute.