As Apple and Masimo return to a California courtroom this week, the tech giant continues its efforts to reinstate blood oxygen sensing capabilities in U.S. Apple Watch models. This latest development unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing legal battle between the two companies.
The current bench trial focuses on Masimo's allegations that Apple misappropriated trade secrets and improperly recruited Masimo employees during the development of the Apple Watch. This trial follows a previous jury trial in April 2023, which ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury.
In a strategic shift, Masimo has abandoned its monetary claims, instead seeking an injunction against the Apple Watch. This move prompted the transition from a jury trial to a bench trial, where a judge will determine if any trade secret violations occurred before considering Masimo's argument for an injunction.
The scope of potential injunctive relief remains unclear, particularly given that many of Masimo's original claims have been dismissed. Of the 17 patents Masimo initially accused Apple of infringing, 15 have been invalidated following an International Trade Commission (ITC) review.
It's worth noting that this trade secret lawsuit is separate from the ITC injunction that currently prevents the sale of Apple Watch models with blood oxygen sensors in the United States. Apple is actively appealing this ruling while continuing to sell Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature disabled.
In a parallel development, Apple recently won a patent infringement case against Masimo. A jury found that Masimo's W1 Freedom smartwatch, released in 2022, infringed on Apple Watch patents. Apple stated that the goal of this lawsuit was not financial gain but to prevent Masimo from copying the Apple Watch design.
Despite these legal challenges, Apple remains committed to restoring blood oxygen sensing functionality in U.S. Apple Watch models. The company is exploring various avenues to achieve this goal while the appeals process for the ITC ruling continues.
As the legal saga between Apple and Masimo enters its fifth year, the outcomes of these various cases have yet to significantly impact Apple's business operations. The tech giant's ability to adapt by disabling the contested feature has allowed it to continue selling its popular smartwatch. As this new trial unfolds, all eyes will be on the potential implications for both companies and the future of wearable health technology.