Apple Masimo Lawsuit 2025, $634M Jury Verdict + NEW ITC Investigation Threatens Another Apple Watch Ban—What Happens Next
A California jury just ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million for patent infringement involving blood oxygen technology in Apple Watch, while the U.S. International Trade Commission simultaneously launched a new investigation on November 14, 2025, to determine whether Apple’s redesigned blood oxygen feature still infringes Masimo’s patents. The ITC set a six-month target to complete the investigation, which could result in another import ban on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models.
The patent dispute began when Masimo accused Apple of hiring away key employees and stealing pulse oximetry technology after a 2013 meeting where Apple allegedly promised a working relationship. Masimo has spent close to $200 million fighting Apple over five years, resulting in multiple court battles and a previous import ban that forced Apple to remove blood oxygen monitoring from U.S. Apple Watches in December 2023.
Breaking: November 2025 Developments Reshape The Case
$634 Million Jury Verdict Against Apple
On November 14, 2025, a federal jury in Santa Ana, California, found that Apple’s workout mode and heart rate notification features violated Masimo’s patent rights. Apple immediately announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Masimo called the verdict “a significant win in our ongoing efforts to protect our innovations and intellectual property”, marking a major victory in the California branch of their multi-front legal battle.
ITC Opens New Investigation Into Apple’s Workaround
The ITC determined to “institute a combined modification and enforcement proceeding” following Masimo’s complaint about Apple’s redesigned blood oxygen feature introduced in August 2025.
Apple shifted data processing from the watch to paired iPhones to circumvent the original patent infringement ruling, claiming this redesign differentiated the technology sufficiently. The ITC will now investigate whether this software workaround still infringes Masimo’s patents.
According to the ITC, “conditions have changed because Apple is now selling a redesigned watch that wasn’t part of the original investigation”, justifying the new proceeding.
What Is The Apple-Masimo Patent Dispute About?
Masimo and its subsidiary Cercacor Laboratories filed their initial lawsuit in January 2020, alleging Apple violated light-based health monitoring patents after hiring Cercacor’s chief technology officer Marcelo Lamego and Masimo’s chief medical officer Michael O’Reilly.
The lawsuit claimed Apple gained competitive advantage through these employees’ knowledge of Masimo’s proprietary technology. Masimo sought to block use of its patents in Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 and to seize seven patents issued to Lamego.
The Patents At The Center Of The Fight
The ITC found Apple violated Section 337 by importing Apple Watches that infringed two Masimo patents: U.S. Patent No. 10,945,648 (claims 24 and 30) and U.S. Patent No. 10,912,502, covering light-based pulse oximetry technology for reading blood-oxygen levels.
Masimo’s proprietary technology is called Signal Extraction Technology (SET), used in patient monitoring devices.
The patents describe methods for measuring oxygen saturation in blood using light transmitted through tissue—technology Masimo developed for medical-grade monitoring equipment before consumer wearables existed.
Timeline: How The Legal Battle Unfolded
October 2013: Cercacor CTO Marcelo Lamego emailed Apple CEO Tim Cook with ideas for new technology, then began working for Apple weeks later.
January 2020: Masimo and Cercacor filed lawsuit in U.S. District Court for Central District of California alleging trade secret theft and patent violations.
June 2021: Masimo expanded its lawsuit to include Apple Watch Series 6, filing complaint with the International Trade Commission.
October 2022: Apple countersued Masimo in Delaware federal court, accusing Masimo’s W1 smartwatch line of infringing Apple Watch patents.
January 2023: ITC administrative law judge issued Final Initial Determination finding Apple violated Section 337.
October 2023: ITC issued import ban against Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, and 9 models, effective December 26, 2023.
December 2023: Apple halted sales of Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in retail locations on December 24 and online on December 21. Apple removed blood oxygen feature to comply with ban.
August 2025: Apple released redesigned blood oxygen feature after securing U.S. Customs and Border Protection approval on August 1, 2025.
August 2025: Masimo sued U.S. Customs and Border Protection on August 20, claiming the agency exceeded its authority in approving Apple’s redesign without notice to Masimo.
November 2025: California jury awarded Masimo $634 million in patent infringement damages on November 14. ITC announced new investigation same day.
The 2023 Import Ban That Changed Everything
In December 2023, Apple was forced to remove the blood oxygen monitoring feature from Apple Watches sold in the United States following the ITC ruling.
Apple attempted to overturn the ban through software updates that would alter how oxygen saturation is determined but lost an attempt to stay the ruling while awaiting appeal.
The ban specifically targeted:
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple launched its appeal in late 2023 and recently presented its case to a three-judge panel at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, but no ruling has yet been issued.
Apple’s August 2025 Workaround—And Why It’s Now Under Fire
In August 2025, Apple reintroduced a redesigned Blood Oxygen monitoring feature, shifting data processing from the device to users’ iPhones.
Apple offloaded some processing to the iPhone and argued the updated system was sufficiently different to sidestep the earlier infringement ruling. The company secured approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for this approach.
Masimo’s Allegations About The Customs Ruling
Masimo claims CBP exceeded its authority in an August 1, 2025, internal advice ruling that overturned its own January decision without notice or input from Masimo.
“CBP reversed itself without any meaningful justification, without any material change in circumstances, and without any notice to Masimo, let alone an opportunity for Masimo to be heard,” Masimo stated in its lawsuit against U.S. Customs.
Masimo only discovered the ruling on August 14, 2025, when Apple publicly announced it would be reintroducing the pulse oximetry functionality through a software update.
Masimo argued CBP’s decision “effectively nullified” the October 2023 ITC exclusion order.
Apple’s Defense Of The Redesign
Apple disputes Masimo’s complaint, saying the company is attempting to pressure the ITC to block Apple Watch users in the U.S. from accessing key health features.
“Through its parallel district court litigation and the present petition, Masimo seeks to pressure the Commission to exceed its statutory authority and prevent millions of Americans from accessing Apple’s redesigned Blood Oxygen feature,” Apple stated in ITC filings.
Apple also pointed out that Masimo’s initial ITC complaint was based on a Masimo Watch that didn’t exist at the time, and in 2024, a jury ruled Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches “willfully violated Apple’s patent rights in smartwatch designs”.
Who Is Masimo And Why Did They Sue?
Masimo CEO and co-founder Joe Kiani immigrated from Iran at age 9 knowing three words of English, then started his company in 1989 in his Aliso Viejo garage after inventing a better way to measure blood oxygen levels.
Masimo manufactures patient monitoring devices featuring proprietary Signal Extraction Technology (SET) for pulse oximetry. The Irvine, California-based medical technology company supplies hospitals and healthcare facilities with life-critical monitoring equipment.
Pulse oximeters became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of remotely monitoring patients’ blood oxygen levels.
Masimo previously won several major cases over two decades, collecting hundreds of millions in settlements from medical device giants Royal Philips Electronics and Nellcor (now part of Medtronic).
Masimo’s Consumer Wearable Strategy
Masimo released its own wearable device, the Masimo W1, marketed as “the first wearable device on the market to provide consumers with accurate, continuous health data, including oxygen level, hydration index, and pulse, heart, and respiration rates”.
Masimo is expanding into consumer devices by using its hospital-grade technology for products like the W1 watch.
However, Apple noted the W1 is no longer sold to consumers and argued Masimo has “no meaningful domestic industry product that would benefit from this exclusion”.
Business Impact: What This Costs Both Companies
Masimo’s Legal Expenses
Masimo’s litigation expenses totaled $5.5 million in 2021, rising to $28.7 million in 2022, exceeding $40 million in 2023, and reaching $70 million in 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025, Masimo spent $19.7 million on litigation, and in its second-quarter earnings report, litigation expenses reached $24 million.
Based on legal costs in the first and second quarters of 2025, Masimo’s litigation expenses this year are expected to exceed 2024 levels, with total expenditures close to $200 million over five years.
Apple’s Revenue Exposure
The Apple Watch accounts for $20 billion of Apple’s annual sales and one-third of all smartwatch sales globally.
Any extended import ban would significantly impact Apple’s wearables segment, particularly during holiday shopping seasons when Apple Watch sales peak.
If the ITC determines new Apple Watch models continue to infringe Masimo’s patents, U.S. imports could again be banned, impacting Apple’s supply chain, timelines, and availability of key features.
Leadership Changes At Masimo
Joe Kiani stepped down as Masimo CEO after being removed from the company’s board by shareholders following a proxy battle with hedge fund Politan Capital Management over a $1 billion acquisition of Sound United.
Michelle Brennan now serves as interim CEO after Politan nominated key board members.
Kiani said in live appearances he was waiting for Apple’s call to deal with the matter, while Apple said they reached out but were mostly rebuffed by the CEO at the time.
The Multiple Legal Fronts In This War
California Federal Court Cases
Patent Infringement Trial: A jury in Santa Ana is weighing Masimo’s allegations that Apple owes as much as $749 million in damages for infringing a Masimo patent. The November 14 verdict awarded $634 million.
Trade Secret Case: A California judge declared a mistrial in Masimo’s trade-secret case against Apple in 2023 after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
Delaware Federal Court
Apple won a minimal $250 verdict against Masimo in Delaware in 2024 over allegations that Masimo’s smartwatches infringe two Apple design patents.
The jury found in Apple’s favor on two patents applying to health software used on a Masimo smartwatch and a charger device, but these related to an older product no longer on sale, rendering calls for an injunction moot.
Masimo beat all but three of Apple’s patent infringement claims at the conclusion of the five-day federal jury trial, and the judgment will not affect Masimo’s sales.
ITC Proceedings
The ITC has two active matters:
- Apple’s appeal of the 2023 import ban presented to a three-judge panel with no ruling yet issued
- New investigation launched November 14, 2025, into whether the redesigned feature violates the same patents
Customs Litigation
Masimo filed lawsuit on August 20, 2025, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
U.S. Customs filed a motion to dismiss, arguing “Congress precluded district-court review of challenges to Customs’ implementation of the Commission’s exclusion orders”.
CBP stated Masimo can raise “all the same admissibility arguments” before the ITC and, if necessary, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
What The New ITC Investigation Means For Consumers
Current Status Of Blood Oxygen Feature
Despite the contention, the blood oxygen feature is currently enabled on Apple Watches in the United States.
Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 users can access the redesigned blood oxygen monitoring through software updates released in August 2025.
Potential Outcomes Within Six Months
The ITC set a target to finish the investigation within six months, with an expected decision before April 2026.
If the ITC finds Apple’s redesign still infringes:
- Another import ban could be issued
- Apple Watch models with the feature would be blocked from U.S. sale
- Apple would need to remove the feature again or license Masimo’s technology
- Existing watches would likely keep functionality
If the ITC clears Apple’s redesign:
- Blood oxygen feature remains on U.S. Apple Watches
- Masimo could appeal the decision
- Patent dispute shifts focus to other legal fronts
What Apple Watch Owners Should Know
Current Apple Watch owners are not affected by potential import bans. The ITC investigation examines whether Apple causes infringement by selling an Apple Watch that, once paired with an iPhone, performs the disputed features.
Any ban would apply to new sales, not devices already purchased.
Apple Watches purchased before December 2023 still have blood oxygen hardware and software functionality. Models purchased between December 2023 and August 2025 have the hardware but feature was software-disabled. Models purchased after August 2025 have the redesigned feature currently functional.
Legal Precedent And Industry Implications
What This Case Means For Tech Patents
The Apple-Masimo dispute highlights tensions between medical device manufacturers and consumer tech companies integrating health features.
Apple argued “Masimo has wrongly attempted to use the ITC to keep a potentially lifesaving product from millions of U.S. consumers while making way for their own watch that copies Apple”.
Masimo CEO Kiani countered: “Somehow, we copied them? Somehow, by taking their faulty pulse oximetry watch out of the market, we hurt people? Their pulse oximetry has only 6% accuracy when we get 100%”.
The case tests whether tech giants can hire employees from specialized companies, then develop similar features without licensing original patents.
ITC As Patent Enforcement Venue
The dispute demonstrates the ITC’s power to block imports of products from even the world’s most valuable company.
President Biden’s administration had 60 days to overturn the 2023 ruling but declined, just as Biden previously declined to veto an ITC ruling that found Apple Watch violated AliveCor’s electrocardiogram sensor patents.
Most legal watchers didn’t expect Apple’s products to be taken off the market for long, given the company’s numerous legal options for dealing with ITC rulings.
What Happens Next In The Apple-Masimo Legal Saga
Immediate Next Steps
ITC Investigation: The review includes whether Apple causes infringement by selling an Apple Watch that, once paired with an iPhone, performs the disputed features—this will be “the sole issue to be resolved” in the proceeding.
Federal Circuit Appeal: Apple has separately challenged the import ban at federal appeals court, with arguments heard but no decision issued.
Customs Lawsuit: Masimo has filed an ongoing lawsuit against Customs over the decision to allow the redesigned feature.
California Verdict Appeal: Apple announced it will appeal the $634 million jury award.
Possible Resolutions
Settlement: Apple could negotiate licensing deal with Masimo for pulse oximetry technology. Apple indicated it would be seeking an appeal rather than taking a license to the tech from Masimo, but the $634 million verdict and new ITC investigation may change calculations.
Design Around: Apple could modify the technology further to avoid infringement, though the redesign attempt is now under ITC scrutiny.
Court Victories: Apple could win appeals and overturn ITC rulings, clearing the way for unrestricted blood oxygen feature use.
Another Ban: ITC could find the redesign still infringes, leading to renewed import restrictions.
What Legal Experts Are Watching
The key technical question: Does shifting processing to the iPhone fundamentally change how blood oxygen measurement works, or does it still use Masimo’s patented method?
According to the ITC, “conditions have changed because Apple is now selling a redesigned watch that wasn’t part of the original investigation,” justifying the revisiting.
The broader question: Can Apple continue developing workarounds indefinitely, or will it eventually need to license Masimo’s patents or abandon blood oxygen monitoring?
FAQs About The Apple-Masimo Lawsuit
Q: What is the Apple-Masimo lawsuit about?
A: Masimo sued Apple in 2020, alleging Apple violated light-based health monitoring patents and gained competitive advantage by hiring away Masimo’s chief technology officer and chief medical officer. The dispute centers on blood oxygen measurement technology used in Apple Watch.
Q: Which Apple Watch models are affected by the ban?
A: The 2023 ITC import ban targeted Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, and Ultra 2 models. The new November 2025 ITC investigation examines Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 with the redesigned blood oxygen feature.
Q: Can I still use blood oxygen monitoring on my Apple Watch?
A: Yes, the blood oxygen feature is currently enabled on Apple Watches in the United States following Apple’s August 2025 software update. However, if the ITC determines new models continue to infringe Masimo’s patents, the feature could be blocked again.
Q: How much has this lawsuit cost the companies?
A: Masimo has spent close to $200 million fighting Apple over five years. A California jury just ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million in damages, though Apple plans to appeal.
Q: What did the ITC rule?
A: The ITC found in October 2023 that Apple violated Section 337 by importing Apple Watches that infringed Masimo’s U.S. Patent Nos. 10,945,648 and 10,912,502, covering light-based pulse oximetry technology. On November 14, 2025, the ITC launched a new investigation to determine whether Apple’s redesigned feature still violates those patents.
Q: When will the ITC make a decision on the redesigned feature?
A: The ITC set a target to finish the investigation within six months, meaning a decision should come before April 2026.
Q: Can Apple appeal the $634 million verdict?
A: Yes, Apple said it disagrees with the verdict and will appeal. Patent infringement verdicts can be appealed to federal circuit courts, which may uphold, reduce, or overturn the award.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The Apple-Masimo lawsuit, ITC rulings, product ban details, and case status may change based on appeals and legal developments. Consult official ITC resources at www.usitc.gov, review court documents independently through PACER, contact Apple at www.apple.com or Masimo at www.masimo.com for official statements, and contact a legal professional for specific questions about case implications or patent matters.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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