Apple and the medical technology company, Masimo, have a long history, but recently the latter filed a claim in 2020 seeking damages for patent infringement. Today, the court found Apple guilty, and the US International Trade Commission will consider banning the import of Apple Watches Series 6 and newer.
Just before the release of the first Apple Watch, the Cupertino-based company sought to collaborate with Masimo. But Masimo’s CEO says the purpose of the meeting was to poach certain employees and extract information and expertise on certain Masimo products. More precisely, the modern blood oxygen sensor technology used in hospitals.
Apple did indeed sign Masimo’s chief physician shortly after the meeting.
As a result, Masimo sued Apple in 2020 for infringing 10 different Masimo patents and asked for a ban on sales of the Apple Watch in the United States.
There is still a final decision to be made by the USITC and it will be difficult to clarify. The commission will have to look into Apple’s pulse oximeter and its implementation and decide whether Apple used Masimo’s trade secrets to develop the mobile technology. The USITC works independently of the court, so it may come to a different decision.
