SpO2 measurement with Apple Watches: patent holder demands new US import ban
In agreement with US Customs, Apple Watches are allowed to record blood oxygen saturation again. This is illegal, says medical device manufacturer Masimo.
The underside of an Apple Watch Ultra
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / heise medien)
Medical device manufacturer Masimo is entering a new round in the patent dispute against Apple: The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has allowed Apple to re-enable the Apple Watch's blood oxygen measurement. This is unlawful and unilateral, Masimo emphasizes in a lawsuit filed with a US federal court. It is directed against the customs authority, Krist Noem as head of the higher-level homeland security authority and two other top officials. The company argues that their actions undermine patent protection.
It wants to force the customs authority to enforce the import ban on the Apple Watch issued by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The case, Masimo v US CBP et al, is pending in the US Federal District Court for the District of Columbia under case number 1:25-cv-2749.
Surprise return of the missing Watch function
Last week, Apple surprisingly enabled the function on US Watches via a software update after it had been blocked on new watches sold there for more than a year and a half. The watch measures SpO2 values, but results are only displayed on the iPhone, not on the watch. This workaround is permitted by a recent decision by the customs authorities, says Apple.
It is incomprehensible why the CBP suddenly reversed its own previous decision to enforce the import ban, writes Masimo, especially since the new decision was made without a hearing for both sides. The patent holder states that it only found out about this through Apple's unlocking announcement.
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Masimo points to Apple's huge US investments
Masimo makes a further accusation against the customs authority through the veil: The sudden decision in Apple's favor was namely preceded by Apple's huge announced investment of now 600 billion US dollars in the domestic market, as the statement of claim soberly states. Apple CEO Tim Cook personally presented US President Donald Trump with a pane of glass with the Apple logo and a real gold stand.
The pulse oximeter specialist Masimo and Apple have been involved in a patent dispute for several years. Masimo accuses Apple of poaching employees and stealing technology to teach the Apple Watch to measure blood oxygen. Apple rejects the accusations. It was important for the company to bring back the SpO2 function, as the marketing of new model generations is just a few weeks away: in addition to the iPhone 17 series, Apple is also expected to introduce the Ultra 3, Series 11 and SE 3 in September.
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