Apple just scored a major victory in its ongoing battle with Masimo over patents related to the apple watchBlood oxygen function. Here are the details.
A little context
In recent years, Apple and health technology company Masimo have been locked in a fierce legal battle over the apple watchBlood oxygen sensor.
After multiple decisions and appeals, Apple had to deactivate the technology of Apple watches sold in the US to avoid a ban, and ended developing a redesigned version of the feature, which moved most of the process to the iPhone, using data collected by the Apple Watch.
According to the International Trade Commission, that was enough to allow Apple to resume sales. apple watch models with the feature enabled in the US, as the agency concluded that it did not infringe Masimo’s patents.
Naturally, Masimo disagreed and filed petitions arguing that Apple’s redesign was still within the scope of the existing exclusion order, while also challenging US Customs and Border Protection’s decision to approve the updated watches.
This led to two recent decisions, as we covered here:
- First, ITC Administrative Law Judge Monica Bhattacharyya determined in an initial determination that Apple’s redesigned version of the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen feature does not infringe Masimo’s patents.
- Second, the Federal Circuit upheld the ITC’s initial exclusion order, meaning that the original version of the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen feature is still banned in the United States.
After those rulings, the final step was for the full Commission to decide whether to review the Administrative Law Judge’s non-violation decision, which brings us to today.
ITC rejects review
Earlier today, the ITC declined to review today’s earlier ruling, effectively closing the case and rejecting Masimo’s attempt to reinstate the apple watch on import.
From the decision, where ALJ refers to the presiding administrative law judge, EID refers to the initial enforcement determination, and LEO refers to a limited exclusion order:
On March 18, 2026, the ALJ issued the EID, which ultimately concluded that the accused redesigned products did not infringe the asserted claims of the Asserted Patents. On March 25, 2026, Masimo and Apple each filed a petition asking the Commission to review the EID.
On March 30, 2026, each of the parties submitted responses to the respective petitions. The Commission has decided not to review the EID. This combined proceeding is terminated in its entirety with the conclusion that the accused redesigned products do not infringe the Asserted Patents and therefore should not be excluded under the terms of the LEO.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said:
We thank ITC for its decision, which ensures that we can continue to offer this important health feature to our users. For more than six years, Masimo has waged a relentless legal campaign against Apple and almost all of its claims have been rejected. We will always champion our innovations and remain focused on what we do best: delivering the world’s best products and services to our users.
The company added that it is pleased to continue offering its redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to users in the US, along with other health features such as the ECG app and hypertension and irregular rhythm notifications.
Apple also emphasized the research and work its teams have done to develop and deliver health, wellness and safety features in apple watch and in all of its other products, while maintaining a strong focus on privacy.
Masimo can still appeal the decision.
You can read the full ITC decision as of today below:
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