Apple has failed to overturn a $634 million patent verdict in its legal battle with medical technology company Masimo, after a California federal judge rejected the company’s request for judgment in its favour and denied its demand for a new trial.
The dispute began in 2020, when Masimo accused Apple of using its trade secrets and infringing patents linked to pulse oximetry and optical health-monitoring technology. The wider conflict later led to a US import ban on Apple Watch models that included blood oxygen monitoring, forcing Apple to disable the feature before resuming sales.
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In November 2025, a jury found that Apple Watch heart-rate monitoring and notification features infringed a Masimo patent and ordered Apple to pay $634 million in damages. Apple challenged the verdict by arguing that the Apple Watch did not qualify as a “patient monitor” under the wording of the patent.
Judge Rejects Apple’s Arguments
Law360 reported that US District Judge James V. Selna rejected Apple’s interpretation and agreed with the jury that the Apple Watch could fall within the broader meaning of a patient-monitoring device.
The judge also dismissed Apple’s objections to the jury instructions and the exclusion of testimony from one of its experts, finding no serious legal errors that justified another trial.
Apple referred to an earlier statement and confirmed that it plans to appeal the decision.
“The single patent in this case expired in 2022, and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago. We plan to appeal,” Apple said.
The ruling leaves the $634 million damages award in place while Apple prepares its next legal challenge.
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