SPO2 measurement with Apple Watches: Patent owner demands new US import ban

In the patent dispute against Apple, medical device manufacturer Masimo heralds a new round: The US Customs Authority Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has allowed Apple to unlock the blood oxygen measurement of the Apple Watch again. This is illegal and one-sided, Masimo emphasizes in a lawsuit submitted to a US federal court. It is directed against the customs authority, Krist NoEM as head of the higher -level home protection authority and two other top officials. The company argues that their procedure is the patent protection.

It wants to force the customs authority to enforce the import ban of the Apple Watch, which is issued by the US foreign trade supervision International Trade Commission (ITC). The procedure Masimo V US CBP et al is pending at the US Federal Court of Court District of Columbia under Az. 1: 25-CV-2749.

Surprising return of the missing watch function

Apple surprisingly unlocked the function last week by software update on US watches after it was blocked on the newly sold copies for more than a year and a half. The clock measures Spo₂-Alals, results are only displayed on the iPhone, not on the clock. This workaround is permitted by a fresh decision by the customs authority, says Apple.

It is incomprehensible why the CBP suddenly undo its own decision to enforce the import ban, Masimo writes – especially since the new decision was made without hearing on both sides. The patent holder states that they have only found out of this through Apple’s activation announcement.

Masimo refers to Apple’s huge US investments

The flower makes a further accusation against the customs authority: The sudden decision on Apple’s favor is preceded by Apple’s huge announced investment of now 600 billion US dollars in the home market, as the application lists sober. Apple boss Tim Cook personally presented US President Donald Trump a glass pane with Apple logo and base of real gold.

The pulseximeter specialist Masimo and Apple have been a patent dispute for several years. Masimo accuses Apple of recruiting employees and stolen technology to teach the Apple Watch blood oxygen measurement. Apple rejects the allegations. It was important for the group to₂-Function to bring back, after all, the marketing of new model generations is imminent in a few weeks: In addition to the iPhone 17 series, Apple should also present Ultra 3, Series 11 and SE 3 in September.