Apple Ordered to Pay 634 Million Dollars in Major Patent Dispute

Apple has been hit with one of its biggest legal setbacks in recent years. A federal jury in California ruled that Apple must pay 634 million dollars to Masimo, a company known for medical technology. The case focused on health features inside the Apple Watch, especially technology that measures blood oxygen levels and heart rate alerts.

Masimo claimed that Apple used its patented ideas without permission. These ideas help wearable devices shine light into the skin to read blood oxygen levels, a process called pulse oximetry. Masimo said it created this technology for medical use long before Apple brought similar features to the Apple Watch. The jury agreed with Masimo and said Apple’s products violated the patent.

This case covers Apple Watches sold between 2020 and 2022. During those years, Apple strongly promoted the watch as a health device, not just a gadget. Many customers bought the watch because they wanted to track workouts, monitor oxygen levels, and receive heart alerts. The jury belief was that some of these features came from Masimo’s protected work.

Apple strongly disagreed with the verdict. The company said the patent at the center of the case had already expired and that the technology was old. Apple also said that several other patents Masimo claimed were already rejected in court. Apple plans to appeal the ruling, which means the legal fight will continue for some time.

Even though Apple is one of the world’s largest companies, a 634 million dollar penalty is still significant. The decision also sends a message to the entire tech industry. Health tracking is becoming more important in smart devices, but many of the ideas used in these features belong to medical companies. When tech companies enter the health field, they must be careful with patents.

This case matters because the market for health technology is growing fast. Smartwatches and fitness trackers now act like small medical devices. They monitor vital signs, warn people about irregular heartbeats, and collect health data. As these devices become more advanced, more companies may face legal challenges over who created what technology first.

The ruling may also impact how Apple develops future watches. Apple may need to redesign some features or pay to license certain technologies. This could slow down the development of new health features or increase the cost of making each watch. In a competitive market, this kind of change can make a difference.

Masimo celebrated the verdict. The company said the decision protects innovators who invest years of work into medical technology. Masimo has been in several disputes with Apple. The companies have argued over patents, product bans, and hiring battles. Masimo has long accused Apple of trying to copy medical features to make the Apple Watch more appealing.

Apple, on the other hand, said it will continue to defend its technology. The company believes the jury got the decision wrong. Apple says that future courts may look at the case differently during the appeal process. Appeals can take a long time, sometimes years, so the fight is far from over.

For customers, the verdict does not change much right now. Apple Watches will continue to work normally. Stores will keep selling them. Apple will keep updating software and adding new features. The legal issue affects Apple’s business more than the daily experience of its users.

Still, cases like this may shape the future of wearable technology. Companies will think more carefully before adding health features. Businesses may spend more money checking patents or buying rights to technology. Smaller companies may also be more protective of their inventions.

This verdict also shows how the line between consumer electronics and medical devices is becoming smaller. As watches and other gadgets collect more health information, more companies from the medical field may enter the tech conversation. With this comes stricter rules, more competition, and more court battles.

In the end, the decision against Apple is a reminder that innovation is not only about great ideas and engineering. It is also about legal protection, patents, and respecting the work of other companies. The wearable technology space will continue to grow, and so will the challenges that come with it. Apple now has to decide how it will move forward in the face of this costly and public legal defeat.

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