Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Apple Ordered to Pay $634 Million to Masimo for Patent Infringement
Imagine two companies, Apple and Masimo, are in a big argument.
Masimo invented a special way to measure how much oxygen is in your blood using a smartwatch, and they have a patent for it.
A jury decided that Apple used Masimo's idea in their Apple Watches without permission, even though they tried to change the watches.
Because of this, Apple has to pay Masimo about $634 million.
Masimo is happy because they believe it's important to protect their inventions.
Apple, however, disagrees and says the patent is old and not valid anymore.
They plan to challenge the decision.
This fight has already caused problems for Apple Watch buyers in the US, with some watches temporarily unable to measure blood oxygen.
Apple found a way to keep selling them by moving the measurement feature to the iPhone, but Masimo is still fighting them in court over this solution.
A US federal jury ordered Apple to pay $634 million to Masimo for infringing a patent on blood oxygen-sensing technology used in Apple Watches.
Masimo views the verdict as a validation of protecting innovation and intellectual property.
Apple disagrees with the ruling, arguing the patent has expired and the technology is based on outdated equipment, and plans to appeal.
This legal dispute has previously led to temporary bans on Apple Watch sales in the US and required Apple to implement workarounds.
Masimo is also pursuing legal action against Apple's workaround that allows continued sales of Apple Watch models with the blood oxygen feature.
- Who
- A US federal jury and medical technology company Masimo vs. Apple
- What
- A jury ordered Apple to pay $634 million for infringing on Masimo's patent for blood oxygen-sensing technology used in Apple Watch models.
- When
- The verdict was recently delivered; sales ban was in December 2023 and January 2024; Apple's workaround was implemented in August 2025.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Apple was found to have infringed on Masimo's patent for blood oxygen-sensing technology.
Masimo
Apple
Patent Infringement and Technology Validity
Masimo
Masimo asserts that Apple infringed its patent related to blood oxygen-sensing technology and emphasizes the importance of protecting innovation and intellectual property.
Apple
Apple argues that the patent Masimo is referencing expired in 2022, is based on outdated equipment, and believes the verdict should not have resulted in such a significant financial penalty.
History of Legal Disputes
Masimo
Masimo has been pursuing Apple legally for years, filing numerous patent cases against the company.
Apple
Apple claims Masimo has filed over 25 patent cases against it, many of which have been rejected or found invalid.
Workaround for Sales Ban
Masimo
Masimo is pursuing legal action against Apple's workaround for selling Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature enabled after a ban.
Apple
Apple developed a workaround by shifting blood oxygen data processing to the iPhone, allowing it to continue selling its models legally.
- Companies Involved
- Apple vs. Masimo
- Awarded Amount
- $634 million (approx. Rs 55,790 crore)
- Reason for Payment
- Infringement of patent related to blood oxygen-sensing technology
- Apple's Stance
- Will appeal the ruling, claiming patent expired and technology is outdated.
- Masimo's Stance
- Welcomes verdict, sees it as protection of innovation and intellectual property.
- Past Sales Ban Impact
- Temporary ban on Apple Watch models with blood oxygen feature in Dec 2023; sensor disabled in Jan 2024.
- Apple's Workaround
- Shifted blood oxygen data processing to iPhone (August 2025).
