Apple Wins $250M in Patent Lawsuit Against Masimo
Apple Inc. won a big case against Masimo Corp. A jury gave Apple $250 million. They said Masimo used Apple's pulse oximetry tech without permission. This tech is in Apple Watch devices.
The fight between Apple and Masimo went on for a while. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) first sided with Masimo. This could have stopped Apple from selling some Watch models. But now, Apple has won a big victory.
- Apple won a $250 million design patent lawsuit against Masimo in a significant legal victory.
- The lawsuit centered around Masimo's allegation that Apple infringed on its pulse oximetry technology in Apple Watch devices.
- The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) had previously ruled in favor of Masimo, potentially banning the import of certain Apple Watch models.
- The latest jury verdict represents a major turnaround in the case and a significant win for Apple in the ongoing technology battle.
- The legal battle between the tech giants highlights the importance of design patents and the high stakes involved in technology-related patent disputes.
Masimo's Groundbreaking Invention and Legal Battles
Masimo was started in 1989 by CEO Joe Kiani. He wanted to change how we check blood oxygen levels. His team made a new way to do this in Kiani's garage. Now, it's used in hospitals all over the world.
The Origins of Pulse Oximetry Technology
In 1995, Masimo introduced a new tech called Masimo SET®. It works even when patients move or have low blood flow. Over 200 million patients have used it in top hospitals.
Masimo's Victories Against Industry Giants
Masimo has won big against big companies. They've made hundreds of millions from these wins. Here are some:
- A $466 million jury verdict against Philips Electronics for infringing two Masimo patents
- A $330 million settlement and future royalties against Mallinckrodt, Inc. after obtaining a verdict of $134.5 million for the owner of four patents on read-through-motion pulse oximeters
- A $320 million sale of the client to Cardinal Health in 2014 after obtaining a reversal and ruling that a patent was invalid for double patenting in the case against St. Jude Medical, Inc.
- A $64.5 million judgment after a jury trial found Tyco-Unit U.S. Surgical had willfully infringed a patent in the case of Applied Medical Resources Corp. v. United States Surgical Corp.
These wins have made Masimo strong in its fight against Apple. They show Masimo's leadership in medical tech.
Apple's Alleged Patent Infringement
In 2019, Masimo found out that Apple might have used their pulse oximetry tech without permission. They quickly filed a case with the International Trade Commission (ITC). They said Apple was using their patented ideas without permission.
The ITC made a big decision. They said some Apple Watch models were using Masimo's patents without permission. This could mean Apple might not be able to sell those watches in the US anymore.
This fight shows how important patents are in the tech world. The battle over Apple Watch patent infringement and Apple Watch pulse oximetry will affect both companies' future plans.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Apple Awarded $250 Million in Patent Lawsuit | $250 million |
| Masimo Corporation Valuation | $7.5 billion |
| Apple Inc. Valuation | Over $3.5 trillion |
| Masimo Design Patents Infringed | US Patent No. D883,279, US Patent No. D735,131 |
| Apple Design Patents Infringed | US Patent No. D735,131 |
The fight between Apple and Masimo is still going on. The ITC's decision and the $250 million award to Apple will change the tech world. It will also make the competition between these two giants even more interesting.
The ITC Ruling in Masimo's Favor
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) made a big decision. They sided with Masimo, a top company in medical tech, against Apple. This shows Masimo's patents are real and Apple broke them.
Key Points of the ITC Ruling
The ITC's main points are:
- Masimo's patents are valid and can be used.
- An ITC judge first decided in Masimo's favor in January 2022. Then, the full ITC agreed and made Masimo's claims bigger.
- The ruling says some Apple Watch models use Masimo's pulse oximetry tech without permission.
- Because of this, Apple Watch imports might be stopped by December 26, 2022.
The ITC ruling Masimo vs Apple and the ITC patent infringement decision are big deals. They affect how both companies work in tech and protect their ideas.
"This is a major victory for Masimo and a validation of our innovative pulse oximetry technology," said Joe Kiani, Founder and CEO of Masimo.
The ITC's choice shows how key it is to protect ideas in tech. This ruling could also change how patent cases are handled in the future.
Jury awards Apple $250 in design patent lawsuit against Masimo
A federal jury in California gave Apple $250 million in a design patent lawsuit against Masimo Corp. This win is different from the earlier International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling. The ITC had sided with Masimo in a dispute over smartwatch patents.
The jury said Masimo, a company worth $7.5 billion, copied Apple's smartwatch designs. They found Masimo's W1 watch, Freedom, and health module designs copied Apple's U.S. Patent No. D883,279. Also, Masimo's charger design copied Apple's U.S. Patent No. D735,131. The jury said Masimo did this on purpose.
Even though Apple didn't get an injunction, this win is still important for them. Apple wanted to stop Masimo from selling certain products. But the jury's decision only covered old products, not what Masimo sells now.
"Masimo's devices did not infringe Apple's patents, and we will continue to emphasize Masimo's innovation in pulse oximetry," claimed Masimo's lawyer. He said Masimo focuses on its new technology.
The fight between Apple and Masimo over smartwatch patents has been going on for a while. The recent jury trial added more to this complex fight. Even though the ITC ruled in Masimo's favor before, this verdict shows the ongoing battle between these tech giants.
| Key Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Jury Award | $250 million in damages to Apple |
| Infringed Patents | U.S. Patent No. D883,279 and U.S. Patent No. D735,131 |
| Infringed Designs | Masimo's W1 watch, Freedom, health module, and charger |
| Masimo's Valuation | $7.5 billion |
| Apple's Objective | Injunction against Masimo's current products |
Apple's Legal Options and Strategies
After the ITC ruled in Masimo's favor, Apple is facing a tough spot. The company has a few legal paths it can take. It can try to get a stay of the exclusion order from the ITC or the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. This would pause the ruling's effect.
Appealing the ITC Decision
Apple also has the chance to appeal the ITC's decision. This move lets Apple challenge the ruling and maybe change it. With its skilled legal team, Apple can use different strategies to fight the decision and protect its interests.
Developing Non-Infringing Technology
Apple might also work on new technology to avoid Masimo's patents. It could add new features to its Apple Watch that don't use Masimo's ideas. This way, Apple can keep selling its products without the exclusion order.
Apple must think carefully about its next steps and plan a solid legal strategy. The choices it makes could greatly affect its products and its place in the wearables market.
| Strategy | Description | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Appealing the ITC Decision | Apple can challenge the ITC ruling by appealing the decision to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. | If successful, the decision could be overturned, allowing Apple to continue selling its products. |
| Developing Non-Infringing Technology | Apple can design new features or functionalities for its Apple Watch that do not infringe on Masimo's patents. | This could enable Apple to bypass the exclusion order and maintain its product lineup. |
| Obtaining a Stay of the Exclusion Order | Apple can seek a temporary suspension of the exclusion order from the ITC or the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. | A successful stay would allow Apple to continue selling its products during the appeals process. |
Apple is facing big legal hurdles. Its ability to protect its ideas and stay ahead in the wearables market is being tested. The choices Apple makes soon will have big effects on the company and the whole tech world.
Impact on Apple's Product Lineup
The ITC ruled in favor of Masimo, which could change Apple's products a lot. This includes the Apple Watch. The International Trade Commission found that some Apple Watch models, like the Series 9 and Ultra 2, use Masimo's pulse oximetry tech without permission.
This could mean Apple can't sell these watches in the US. Apple's wearables made $41.2 billion in 2022. This was about 10% of their total money.
Experts think Apple will sell about 59 million watches this year. If some can't be sold in the US, it will hurt Apple a lot. People will watch how this affects Apple Watch and other products.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Revenue (2022) | $41.2 billion |
| Estimated Apple Watch Sales (2023) | 59 million units |
| Percentage of Apple's Total Revenue | 10% |
This legal fight will affect Apple's products a lot. Apple needs to keep making great products. They also need to protect their ideas from others.
Masimo's Expansion into Consumer Devices
Masimo is growing beyond the medical field into the consumer market. They aim to bring their top-notch tech to everyday people. This includes the Masimo W1 watch.
Masimo knows a lot about health monitoring, unlike big tech companies. They want to make wearables that give you important health info. The Masimo W1 watch is a big step in this direction.
The Masimo W1 Watch
The Masimo W1 watch is their top consumer product. It has special tech to measure your health, like oxygen levels and heart rate. It gives you health data in real time.
This watch is different because it uses the same tech as their medical devices. It's all about being accurate and reliable. This makes the Masimo W1 stand out in the market.
| Feature | Masimo W1 Watch | Apple Watch Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Saturation Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Clinically Validated Accuracy | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 days | Up to 18 hours |
Masimo's move into consumer devices is facing legal hurdles. But, their focus on quality health tech could make them a strong choice. They might be a better option than big tech companies in the health market.
The Ongoing Legal Battle
The fight between Masimo and Apple is getting intense. Apple won a big case against Masimo for $250 million. But the fight is not over yet.
Masimo's Civil Case Against Apple
Masimo is suing Apple for $1.85 billion. This case was tried in May 2022 but ended in a mistrial. It will be tried again in November 2023.
Masimo thinks Apple used its pulse oximetry technology without permission. They want to get back what they lost.
Apple's Countersuit in Delaware
Apple is not giving up. They sued Masimo in Delaware too. This case will start next spring.
Apple wants to protect its rights. The fight shows how important innovation is in the tech world.
The battle between Masimo vs Apple ongoing legal battle is very important. The results will affect the whole industry. Masimo and Apple are ready to keep fighting.
Masimo's Legal Team: Knobbe Martens
Masimo has fought big names like Apple, Philips, and Medtronic. They have a strong legal team from Knobbe Martens in Irvine. This team has helped Masimo win big, getting hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements.
Steve Jensen and Joseph Re lead Masimo's legal team. They know a lot about patents and protect Masimo's new ideas. Their skills in medical devices and law have helped Masimo win against big companies.
| Key Achievements | Speaking Engagements |
|---|---|
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With Knobbe Martens leading, Masimo has won many big fights. This has made Masimo a leader in medical tech. The Masimo legal team and Knobbe Martens law firm are key to Masimo's success.
"Knobbe Martens has been an invaluable partner in our mission to transform patient care through innovative technology. Their legal expertise and strategic guidance have been instrumental in our victories against industry giants."
Conclusion
The fight between Apple Inc. and Masimo Corp. is very important. It's about new tech in wearables and medical devices. The U.S. International Trade Commission sided with Masimo, but a jury gave Apple $250 million in another case.
Masimo won some parts of the fight, but the jury's big win for Apple is tough for Masimo. This shows how hard it is to keep your ideas safe. The fight will affect both companies and the whole industry.
This lawsuit shows how big tech fights are in today's fast-changing world. Winning these battles is key for companies to grow and stay ahead. It will shape their futures and the industries they're in.
FAQ
What is the patent lawsuit between Apple and Masimo about?
Apple Inc. won a big patent lawsuit against Masimo Corp. A jury gave Apple $250 million. The fight was over Masimo's pulse oximetry tech in Apple Watch devices.
What is Masimo's technology and history?
Masimo started in 1989 by Joe Kiani. He wanted to make better blood oxygen level tools. Their tech, made in Kiani's garage, is used in hospitals.
Masimo has won big against giants like Royal Philips Electronics and Medtronic. They got hundreds of millions in settlements.
How did Masimo discover Apple's alleged patent infringement?
Masimo found out in 2019 that Apple might have used their tech in Apple Watch. They then sued Apple at the ITC for patent infringement.
What was the outcome of the ITC ruling in the case?
The ITC sided with Masimo. They could ban some Apple Watch models. The ITC said Masimo's patents are valid and Apple's products infringe.
How did the jury verdict in the separate design patent lawsuit turn out?
A federal jury in California gave Apple $250 million against Masimo. This is a big win for Apple. The jury said Masimo infringed on Apple's design patents.
What are Apple's legal options following the ITC ruling?
Apple can try to stop the ban or appeal the ITC's decision. They can also make new tech to avoid Masimo's patents.
How could the ITC ruling impact Apple's business?
The ruling could affect Apple Watch sales in the U.S. Apple's wearables made $41.2 billion in 2022. A ban could hurt their sales a lot.
How is Masimo expanding into the consumer device market?
Masimo is growing in the consumer market. They use their hospital tech for products like the Masimo W1 watch. They aim to bring medical tech to consumers, unlike Apple.
What is the current status of the ongoing legal battle between Masimo and Apple?
The fight between Masimo and Apple is still going on. Masimo sued Apple for $1.85 billion, but the jury couldn't decide. They will retry the case in November 2023. Apple also sued Masimo in Delaware, starting next spring.
Who is Masimo's legal team in these battles?
Masimo's lawyers are Steve Jensen and Joseph Re from Knobbe Martens. They have won big for Masimo against giants like Apple and Philips. They've made hundreds of millions for Masimo over 20 years.
