Apple Watch Patent Dispute in the US: Key Facts

The Apple Watch patent dispute in the United States centers on intellectual property claims over heart‑sensing technology, display features, and other hardware/software elements. As of 2025, the most prominent case involves Masimo Corporation, which won a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling that led to a temporary import ban on certain Apple Watch models in late 2023. This article explains the background, the specific patents at issue, the legal process, and what it means for consumers and the industry.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict began in 2020 when Masimo, a medical device company, filed a complaint with the ITC alleging that Apple infringed on its patents related to blood‑oxygen (SpO2) sensing technology. Masimo also accused Apple of hiring away key employees and using confidential information to develop the Apple Watch’s pulse oximeter feature, which debuted with the Series 6 in 2020.

Apple countersued in 2021, claiming Masimo’s own smartwatch products copied Apple’s design and functionality. The legal battle escalated across multiple venues: the ITC, federal district courts, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The ITC’s investigation (337-TA-1276) focused on whether Apple’s importation of watches with light‑based pulse oximetry violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which prohibits unfair competition in import trade.

Key Patents and Technologies Involved

The core patents relate to non‑invasive optical sensors that measure blood oxygen saturation. Masimo’s patents cover techniques for emitting light through the skin and analyzing the reflected signal to calculate SpO2 levels, as well as algorithms to filter out motion artifacts. Apple’s implementation uses green and red LEDs plus photodiodes on the watch’s back crystal.

Other disputed patents have involved:

• Electrical connectors for charging the watch
• User interface elements like the digital crown and gesture controls
• Display technology, including OLED panels and touch sensitivity
• Health monitoring features beyond SpO2, such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate variability

In the ITC ruling, the commission found that Apple infringed one of Masimo’s patents (U.S. Patent No. 10,945,644) related to a “physiological monitoring system� that measures oxygen saturation and pulse rate.

The ITC Ruling and Import Ban

In October 2023, the ITC issued a limited exclusion order and cease and desist order, banning the import and sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in the U.S. because they contained the infringing pulse oximetry technology. The ban took effect on December 26, 2023, after a presidential review period during which the White House declined to veto the ruling.

Apple responded by removing the affected models from its online store and retail locations. The company then filed an emergency motion to stay the ban while it appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The Federal Circuit granted a temporary stay on December 27, allowing sales to resume temporarily while the appeal proceeded.

Apple’s Workaround and Settlement Efforts

To circumvent the ban, Apple submitted a redesigned version of the watch to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in early 2024. The redesign allegedly disabled the blood‑oxygen sensor in software for new units sold in the U.S., while retaining the hardware. CBP approved the modification, and the new units began shipping in January 2024. However, Masimo challenged the approval, arguing that the software‑only change did not actually alter the hardware and was still infringing.

In parallel, Apple and Masimo have engaged in settlement negotiations. Reports in late 2024 indicated that talks were ongoing, but no public agreement has been reached as of early 2025. Meanwhile, Apple continues to sell the Series 9 and Ultra 2 with the SpO2 feature disabled in the U.S., while international models retain the function.

How the Dispute Affects Consumers

For U.S. consumers, the practical impact has been:

• New Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 units purchased after January 2024 lack the blood‑oxygen measurement feature (the app shows “Cannot readâ€� or a similar message).
• Older models (Series 6 through 8, and SE) are unaffected because they were not part of the ban.
• Refurbished or older stock may still have the feature enabled, but Apple has stated it will disable the feature on any unit that goes through service.
• International buyers can still get the full feature set, but importing a watch with the feature enabled into the U.S. may be prohibited under the ITC order.

If you already own an affected watch, the feature remains functional unless you send it in for repair. The ban also forced Apple to temporarily halt sales, causing some supply constraints during the holiday season of 2023.

Legal and Industry Implications

The case is significant because it demonstrates how the ITC can be used to block imports of products that infringe U.S. patents, even if the infringing component is just one feature. It also highlights the growing importance of health‑sensing technology as a differentiator in the wearables market.

For Apple, the dispute has led to:

• Increased scrutiny of its health‑related patent portfolio
• Potential delays in launching new health features, such as blood pressure and glucose monitoring, which may rely on similar optical technology
• Legal costs and reputational risk, though the company’s overall sales have remained strong

For Masimo, the victory validated its patent strategy, but the company faces challenges in enforcing the ban and monetizing its win. The two companies have also engaged in litigation over trade secrets, with a jury trial in California scheduled for 2025.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the ban applies to all Apple Watches. In reality, only the Series 9 and Ultra 2 were affected because they were the only models with the specific pulse oximetry hardware that infringed. Another misconception is that the feature was removed because it was inaccurate or unsafe; the removal is purely a legal matter, not a technical one.

Some also believe that Apple can simply turn the feature back on with a software update. While that is technically possible, doing so would violate the ITC order, so Apple is unlikely to do it unless the legal dispute is resolved in its favor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly did Apple infringe?

The ITC found that Apple infringed Masimo’s patent on a physiological monitoring system that measures blood oxygen saturation using light‑based sensors. The specific patent covers the method of emitting light and analyzing the reflected signal to calculate SpO2 levels.

Will my Apple Watch lose the blood‑oxygen feature?

If you already own a Series 6, 7, 8, or an earlier model, no—the feature stays. If you buy a new Series 9 or Ultra 2 in the U.S. after January 2024, the feature is disabled in software. If you send your watch in for service, Apple will disable the feature on any affected model.

Can I get a refund if my new watch lacks the feature?

Apple’s standard return policy applies, but the feature’s absence is disclosed at the point of sale. If you purchased before the ban and your watch is affected, Apple may offer a refund or exchange, but there’s no automatic entitlement.

Is the ban permanent?

No. The ITC order is subject to appeal and can be overturned or modified. Apple’s appeal is pending, and a settlement could also end the ban. The ban is currently in effect, but the redesigned models are allowed to be sold.

Does this affect Apple Watch SE?

No, the Apple Watch SE does not have the pulse oximeter, so it was never part of the ban. It remains fully available with all its features.

Why did Apple not just license the technology?

Apple has argued that its technology is different and that the patents are invalid. Licensing would have required paying royalties to Masimo, which Apple likely resisted to avoid setting a precedent for other health‑tech patents.

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