Apple Inc. declared victory in a bruising patent war over its smartwatch’s blood-oxygen sensor. The U.S. International Trade Commission shut down Masimo Corp.’s final push for an import ban on April 17. Apple’s redesigned feature—sensor data captured on the watch, processed on the iPhone—cleared the hurdle. No infringement. Case closed.
This wasn’t Apple’s first dodge. Back in December 2023, the ITC slapped an import ban on Series 9 and Ultra 2 models, finding they violated Masimo’s pulse oximetry patents. Apple yanked the feature from U.S. sales to keep shipping. Chaos for holiday buyers. Then came workarounds: software tweaks, Customs approvals. By August 2025, a modified version returned, displaying readings via iPhone. Reuters detailed how an ITC judge in March ruled the redesign clean, and the full commission declined review last week.
Masimo, the Irvine med-tech firm now owned by Danaher, accused Apple of poaching talent and stealing secrets starting in 2020. Pulse oximetry measures blood oxygen via light sensors—vital for sleep apnea tracking, altitude monitoring. Apple debuted it on Series 6 in 2020. Masimo wanted licensing fees or a total block. Apple refused. Fought back in courts.
Twists piled up. A federal jury hit Apple with a $634 million verdict in November 2025 for infringing another Masimo patent. Apple appealed. Meanwhile, the Federal Circuit upheld the original 2023 ban on the classic feature last March. But redesigned versions? Safe. 9to5Mac called it Apple’s latest win, noting the ITC’s termination: “This combined proceeding is hereby terminated in its entirety with the conclusion that the accused redesigned products do not infringe the Asserted Patents.”
Apple’s statement cut deep. “We thank the ITC for its decision, which ensures we can continue to offer this important health feature to our users. For more than six years, Masimo has waged a relentless legal campaign against Apple, and nearly all of its claims have been rejected.” TechRadar highlighted the quote, tying it to user relief.
The Path Forward: Full Feature on Watches?
Don’t pop champagne yet. Masimo can appeal to the Federal Circuit. No word if they will. Broader fights simmer—a separate trade-secrets case, that $634 million damages appeal. Patents expire around 2028, per online chatter, but that’s worst-case. Apple Watches sold now in the U.S. carry the iPhone-dependent version. Full on-device processing? Possible soon. Apple controls software updates. Eligible models: Series 9, 10, Ultra 2.
Industry watchers see bigger stakes. Wearables raked in $20 billion last year; Apple dominates 50% share. Blood oxygen isn’t ECG-level killer, but it’s popular for wellness. Competitors like Samsung, Fitbit offer it freely. Masimo’s tactics—ITC complaints, jury wins—signal how smaller players challenge giants. Cost Apple millions in legal fees, engineering pivots. Dented U.S. sales briefly in 2023.
Users grumbled. Reddit threads buzzed: Will it return fully? Forums speculated settlements. X posts cheered the ITC close. One from 9to5Mac: “Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor is officially in the clear.” Sentiment: Relief. Health pros value accuracy; Apple’s sensor holds up in studies, though not FDA-cleared for medical diagnosis.
But here’s the rub. Masimo built pulse oximetry empires in hospitals. Apple consumerized it. Now, with redesign validated, Apple pushes boundaries—maybe FDA pursuits next. Masimo? Fights on multiple fronts, but ITC loss stings. Danaher acquisition diluted focus?
Apple’s resilience shines. They redesigned twice: First, disabled entirely. Second, offloaded computation. Customs greenlit in 2025. AppleInsider noted the software shift as key—no hardware changes needed. Smart. Cost-effective.
Market barely blinked. AAPL stock steady post-ruling. Watch shipments? Unaffected long-term. Masimo shares dipped slightly. Investors bet on appeals fizzling.
Six years. Dozens of claims rejected. Apple stands tall. Blood oxygen lives on wrists. For now.
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