In a recent verdict, a federal jury in Delaware has determined that certain Masimo Corporation smartwatch designs infringed on Apple Inc.'s design patents. The ruling marks a new development in the ongoing legal battle between the tech giant and the medical technology company.
The jury found that Masimo's original designs for its W1 and Freedom smartwatches, as well as a health module, infringed on Apple's US Patent No. D883,279. Additionally, the original design for Masimo's charger was found to infringe on US Patent No. D735,131, with the jury deeming this infringement intentional.
Despite the ruling in Apple's favor, the damages awarded were minimal at just $250. This amount represents the lowest possible figure Apple could request while still pursuing a jury trial instead of a bench trial.
The verdict's impact on Masimo's current product line appears limited. A Masimo spokesperson highlighted that the infringement ruling pertains to "a discontinued module and charger" rather than their current products. This distinction may weaken Apple's case for irreparable harm and reduce the likelihood of an injunction against Masimo's existing offerings.
Apple expressed satisfaction with the outcome, with a company spokesperson stating that their teams "worked for years to develop Apple Watch," while accusing Masimo of taking "shortcuts" and copying their intellectual property.
This ruling is part of a larger, ongoing dispute between the two companies over smartwatch technology. The conflict previously led to a temporary import ban on certain Apple Watch models in late 2023, a decision currently under appeal.
As the legal battle continues, both companies remain at odds over the future of smartwatch technology and intellectual property rights in the wearable device market.