Apple is actively pursuing legal avenues to overturn a ruling that could ban the sale of certain Apple Watch models in the US due to patent infringement.
Circumstances of the Case Against Apple
Apple has urged the US Court of Appeals to overturn a 2023 ruling by the ITC that confirmed the company infringed on patents held by medical device maker Masimo. This ruling could effectively ban imports of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, which utilize pulse oximetry technology.
Masimo's Response and Defense
Masimo, a California-based company, accuses Apple of unfair practices by using their technology within its devices. They allege Apple copied the blood-oxygen sensor technology introduced with the Series 6 in 2020, following discussions about potential collaboration with Masimo.
Court Discussions
During the appellate hearing, judges highlighted the timing of events. Central to the discussion was whether Masimo had a sufficient product in 2021 to trigger ITC's enforcement action when the case was filed. The court did not issue an immediate ruling but posed questions to both parties regarding product readiness and patent rights.
The court's final decision could set a precedent for resolving patent disputes in the context of emerging technologies, impacting device pricing and consumer access.
