Apple Wins ITC Ruling: No Second Import Ban on Redesigned Apple Watches

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has delivered a major win for Apple, ruling against Masimo’s attempt to reinstate an import ban on the company’s redesigned Apple Watches. The decision permits Apple to continue selling its smartwatches, which feature updated blood-oxygen monitoring technology.

The ITC terminated the case and cited a preliminary ruling from March, which determined that Apple’s redesigned devices do not infringe on patents held by Masimo, a medical technology company. Apple responded with a statement expressing gratitude to the ITC and asserting that Masimo’s legal campaign against the tech giant has largely been unsuccessful. “Masimo has waged a relentless legal campaign against Apple and nearly all of its claims have been rejected,” the statement read. A request for comment from Masimo was not immediately returned.

Background of the Legal Dispute

The patent battle between Apple and Masimo began in 2021 when Masimo filed its first complaint, seeking an import ban on Apple Watches. The ITC initially ruled in favor of Masimo, finding that Apple had violated its patents, which led to the first import ban and prompted Apple to redesign the blood-oxygen feature in certain models. However, Masimo pursued a second import ban on the updated devices. The ITC’s latest decision rejects that request, leaving Masimo with the option to appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Ongoing Legal Challenges for Apple

Despite this victory, Apple continues to face legal challenges from Masimo. In November, a federal jury ruled in favor of Masimo, ordering Apple to pay $634 million in a separate patent infringement case.