CNN
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Apple on Friday convinced a federal jury that health monitoring technology company Masimo’s smartwatch infringes two of its design patents.
A Delaware jury agrees with Apple, ruling that Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches and chargers knowingly infringed Apple’s patent rights in smartwatch design, and sentenced the tech giant to 250 U.S. dollars. ordered to pay damages in the amount of $. Apple’s lawyers told the court that the “ultimate goal” of the lawsuit is to obtain an injunction to stop Masimo from selling its smartwatches following the infringement ruling.
The jury also found that Mr. Masimo’s watch did not infringe Apple’s patent for smartwatch inventions, which the big tech company had accused Mr. Masimo of copying.
Masimo said in a statement that the company appreciates the jury’s verdict “in favor of Masimo and against Apple on nearly every issue” and that the decision applies only to “discontinued modules and chargers.” said.
“Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo on this issue,” Masimo said.
“We are pleased that today’s jury’s decision protects the innovation we advance on behalf of our customers,” Apple said in a statement.
After discussing a potential partnership, Irvine, California-based Masimo accused Apple of firing employees and stealing its pulse oximetry technology. Last year, Masimo decided to import Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches after the U.S. International Trade Commission found that the technology for reading blood oxygen levels infringed Masimo’s patents. He persuaded the U.S. International Trade Commission to block it.
Apple appealed the decision and resumed selling the watch after removing the technology. The tech giant countersued Masimo for patent infringement in 2022, alleging that Masimo copied features from the Apple Watch and used them in its own smartwatches.
Apple also accused Masimo of using the ITC and California lawsuits to “make way for Masimo’s own watch.” Massimo said Apple’s patent lawsuit is “retaliation” and “an attempt by the parties to avoid pending court proceedings.”
