Apple just scored an important victory in its ongoing battle with Masimo over patents related to the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen feature. Here are the details:
a little context
Over the past few years, Apple and health technology company Masimo have been engaged in a bitter legal battle over the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor.
After multiple decisions and appeals, Apple had to disable this technology on Apple Watches sold in the US to avoid the ban, and ended up developing a redesigned version of the feature that used data collected by the Apple Watch and moved much of the process to the iPhone.
According to the International Trade Commission, the commission concluded that Masimo’s patents were not infringed, which was enough for Apple to resume selling Apple Watch models with the feature enabled in the United States.
Naturally, Massimo disagrees, arguing that Apple’s redesign is still within the scope of the existing exclusion order, while also filing a petition challenging U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s decision to approve the latest watch.
This led to two recent decisions, as described here.
- In an initial ruling, ITC Administrative Law Judge Monica Bhattacharyya found that the Apple Watch’s redesigned blood oxygen feature did not infringe Masimo’s patents.
- Second, the Federal Circuit granted the ITC’s initial exclusion order. This means that the original version of the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen feature is still prohibited in the US.
Following these rulings, the final step is for the full Commission to decide whether to reconsider the administrative law judge’s finding of no violation, which continues today.
ITC refuses review
Earlier today, the ITC declined to review its earlier ruling today, effectively ending the case and rejecting Masimo’s bid to reinstate the Apple Watch import ban.
According to the ruling, ALJ refers to the Chief Administrative Law Judge, EID refers to an initial enforcement decision, and LEO refers to a limited exclusion order.
On March 18, 2026, the ALJ issued an EID conclusively concluding that the accused redesigned product did not infringe the asserted patent claims. On March 25, 2026, Masimo and Apple each filed for review of their EIDs by the Commission.
On March 30, 2026, the parties filed responses to their respective petitions. The committee decided not to review the EID. This joint litigation is fully terminated by the conclusion that the accused redesigned products do not infringe the asserted patents and therefore should not be excluded pursuant to the terms of the LEO.
Apple said in a statement to 9to5Mac:
We appreciate ITC’s decision to allow us to continue providing this important health feature to our users. Masimo has waged a relentless legal campaign against Apple for more than six years, but nearly all of his claims have been dismissed. We always champion innovation and stay focused on what we do best: providing our users with the best products and services in the world.
The company added that it is pleased to continue offering its redesigned blood oxygen feature to users in the U.S., alongside other health features such as the EKG app and high blood pressure and irregular rhythm notifications.
Apple also highlighted the research and work its teams have put into developing and delivering health, wellness, and safety features in the Apple Watch and other products, with an emphasis on privacy.
Masimo can still appeal this decision.
You can read ITC’s full decision today below.
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