Masimo’s years-long legal battle against Apple over Apple Watch blood oxygen patents has hit another major obstacle, giving Apple a significant short-term victory in one of its most expensive patent fights.
A new U.S. District Court filing confirms that Masimo’s complaint against the United States International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be dismissed with prejudice, effectively closing this specific legal path and removing any immediate threat of another Apple Watch import ban in the United States.
“In view of the Commission proceeding, the parties agree that dismissal of Masimo complaint with prejudice is appropriate and will be filing a proposed stipulation of dismissal.”
— U.S. District Court joint status report, April 24, 2026
This development follows the ITC’s April 17 decision not to review an Administrative Law Judge’s earlier finding that Apple’s redesigned Apple Watch models do not infringe Masimo’s asserted patents. That ruling made the redesign approval final while also terminating the combined enforcement proceeding entirely.
For Apple, this means its software workaround that disabled blood oxygen monitoring on U.S. Apple Watch models remains effective in avoiding a broader sales disruption. The company still cannot fully restore on-watch blood oxygen functionality in the U.S., but this filing sharply reduces near-term legal pressure.
Masimo’s broader fight is not over yet. The company still has until June 16, 2026, to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which means future legal challenges remain possible.
The bigger picture
Masimo first launched its patent claims in 2020, arguing Apple improperly used its pulse oximetry technology. Since then, the dispute has led to import bans, software changes, mistrials, and a separate $634 million federal jury verdict for Masimo.
Still, this latest dismissal shows Apple’s redesign strategy continues to hold legal ground for now, while Masimo faces another setback in its effort to force stronger restrictions on Apple Watch sales.
