US Trade Commission to Reassess Apple Watch Import Ban in Renewed Patent Clash with Masimo

Picture Credit: Strata Gee

The long-running patent battle between Apple and medical technology company Masimo has intensified once again, with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) announcing a new proceeding to determine whether Apple’s latest Apple Watch models should face another import ban.

In an order issued on Friday, the ITC said it will investigate whether the redesigned blood-oxygen sensing technology in Apple’s updated watches continues to infringe Masimo’s patents. The commission has set a six-month deadline to complete the review, marking a significant escalation in the dispute that has affected some of Apple’s most popular wearable devices.

Apple described the case as a “meritless attempt” by Masimo to block its products from the market, arguing that Masimo had even copied Apple Watch designs to fuel its claims. Masimo has not yet commented on the latest development.

This renewed inquiry stems from a major ruling in 2023, when the ITC imposed an import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, after finding Apple had violated Masimo’s pulse-oximetry patents. Apple temporarily removed the blood-oxygen feature to comply with the ban, but reintroduced an updated version of the sensor earlier this year after receiving approval from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Masimo has since sued CBP over that approval, while Apple continues to challenge the original ITC import ban at a federal appeals court.

Beyond the ITC, the two companies are locked in multiple legal battles across the US. Masimo is currently pursuing up to $749 million in damages in a California patent case, accusing Apple of poaching its employees and stealing trade secrets to build its health monitoring technology. A previous trade secret trial ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a verdict.

Apple has also counter sued Masimo, though it secured only a symbolic $250 award in a Delaware case alleging Masimo’s own smartwatches infringed Apple’s design patents.

As the ITC reopens its inquiry, the stakes remain high. The outcome could shape the future availability of Apple’s flagship health features in the US, and may determine how far tech companies can go in adapting patented medical technologies for consumer wearables.