The redesigned blood oxygen measurement feature for the Apple Watch, which Apple launched in the USA, came under the scrutiny of the International Trade Commission (ITC) again within the scope of the ongoing patent dispute with the health technologies company Masimo. ITC announced that it has initiated a new legal process to evaluate whether Apple maintains the features that were previously subject to an import ban with this new version.
18 months ago, Apple removed the blood oxygen measurement feature from some of its models due to Masimo’s patent claims. However, last August, a redesigned version of this feature was introduced to the US market on Apple Watch models. According to ITC’s current statement, this new design introduced by Apple requires re-examination as it is not within the scope of the previous investigation.
The investigation also examines Apple Watch and iPhone pairing
This new process initiated by the ITC is described as a “combined amendment and implementation review” and aims solely to determine whether Apple’s redesigned blood oxygen feature violates the existing import ban. This process came into force upon the new complaint filed by Masimo.
The investigation also includes whether Apple Watch triggers patented functions when paired with iPhone. In this context, ITC focuses not only on what the watch does on its own, but also on whether the functions that occur when the watch and iPhone work together violate Masimo’s patents.
With the newly designed feature, the user initiates the measurement process via Apple Watch, and the data is collected by the sensors on the watch. However, the results can only be viewed in the “Respiration” section of the Health app on iPhone, not directly on the watch. Apple argues that this change eliminates patent infringement.
Apple rejects Masimo’s complaint and claims that the company forced ITC to block access to this health feature for Apple Watch users in the USA. The company’s statement also points out that Masimo’s first ITC application was based on a Masimo Watch model that is not yet on the market.
On the other hand, in a separate court case heard in 2024, the jury decided that Masimo’s W1 and Freedom smartwatch models knowingly infringed Apple’s patent rights. One of these models, W1, is not currently offered to consumers. According to Apple, Masimo’s products in question have not reached a meaningful sales volume in the domestic market and are not currently sold.
In the latest application made by Apple, it is stated that Masimo aims to exclude consumer products on the grounds of “protecting a non-existent domestic market”. The company states that Masimo abused its commission powers and attempted to restrict consumers’ access to essential healthcare services.
The ITC is expected to make a final decision on the redesigned blood oxygen measurement feature within six months. This decision will play a decisive role in what functions the Apple Watch can be sold with in the US.