Apple started selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models again, but had to deactivate the blood oxygen measurement feature because of a patent disagreement with the medical technology company Masimo.
Apple’s change does not completely eliminate the watch feature. Instead, users are now directed to the Apple Health app for more information when attempting to access the feature.
The legal conflict between Apple and Masimo started in January 2020, with Masimo alleging that Apple violated patents and misappropriated trade secrets concerning the blood oxygen sensor in newer Apple Watch versions.
Apple review.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) discovered in October 2023 that Apple violated Masimo patents, resulting in multiple legal disputes. The inclusion of blood oxygen measurement feature in Apple Watch models since Series 6, introduced in 2020, has been significant, and its removal poses a challenge for Apple.
Apple claims that Masimo’s legal tactics aim to create an opportunity in the wearables market for its health tracking watch with a blood oxygen measurement feature.
The company’s chosen solution does not fully eliminate the functionality of the impacted Apple Watch models. The familiar red, white, and blue app icon remains in its usual place. However, when users attempt to access the app, the smartwatch alerts them that the service is no longer accessible and directs them to a page with further details in the Apple Health app.
Reply to the court’s ruling
The modification is a result of a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which was made on Wednesday (17) and reported by the Washington Post. This ruling reinstates the ban on importing and selling the Apple Watch this week.
The ban was delayed temporarily as the company appealed a ruling by the US International Trade Commission that Apple had violated Masimo’s patents on the Apple Watch in October 2023.
Apple will attempt to settle the patent conflict with Masimo by disabling the oxygen sensor in the Apple Watches Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 — the exclusive method in the US.
Big tech submitted a document to the US customs agency, CBP, outlining the solution to avoid infringing on Masimo’s patent.
CBP has agreed to the decision, but that doesn’t indicate that Apple is exempt from the process.
Seeking Other Options
To address the issue of sales restrictions in the United States, Apple is working on developing its own oximeter technology to avoid infringing on Masimo’s patent.
Apple has been working on a solution that has not infringed on Masimo’s rights, according to the information provided to CBP. The exact timeline of Apple’s efforts is not clear.
Apple’s solution was approved by CBP, so the manufacturer must conceal the features in the advertisements for the smartwatches.
Apple has not provided an official statement on the matter, so there is no update on the future sales of the product.
The company’s US website revealed that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 feature a blood oxygen sensor, also known as an oximeter.
