A US federal jury in Delaware has ruled in favor of Apple Inc., finding that health technology company Masimo’s smartwatch infringed on two of Apple’s design patents. The jury agreed that Massimo’s W1 and Freedom smartwatches and chargers infringed Apple’s patent and imitated its design. Therefore, Apple has been ordered to pay 250 dollars as compensation. Apple’s lawyers told the court that their main goal was to seek a sales ban on Masimo’s smartwatches, which would prevent Massimo’s products.
However, the jury also determined that Massimo’s smartwatches did not infringe on some of Apple’s other patents, which Apple based on its innovative smartwatch ideas. According to a statement issued by Massimo, they said the ruling was in their favor on most of the issues, noting that it was limited to “discontinued modules and chargers”.
“Apple primarily tried to ban our existing products, but the jury ruled in favor of Massimo,” Massimo said.
In a statement, Apple said, “This decision is very important to protect the innovation we do for customers.”
Massimo, which is based in Irvine, California, accused Apple of luring its employees to work for the company and stealing its pulse oximetry technology during a proposal to work together. Massimo won the U.S. last year. The International Trade Commission was successful in asking it to block imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, as the commission ruled that the oxygen measurement technology used in them infringed on Massimo’s patents. Apple has challenged this decision, and after removing the relevant technology, they have put the smartwatch back on sale.
Apple sued Massimo for patent infringement in 2022, claiming that Massimo had copied certain features of Apple’s smartwatches. Also, Apple alleged that Massimo tried to use the ITC and court cases in California to create its own smartwatch.
According to Massimo, Apple’s lawsuit is retaliatory, which is why they decided to discuss all the issues together.