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ITC Reopens Apple Watch Case, Weighs New Import Ban Over Redesigned Blood-Oxygen Feature

The review will determine if pairing the watch with an iPhone still triggers Masimo’s pulse-oximetry patents.

Overview

  • On Nov. 14, the ITC opened a combined modification and enforcement proceeding to assess Apple’s updated Blood Oxygen implementation under its prior exclusion order, targeting a decision in about six months.
  • The inquiry will evaluate potential infringement based on watch–iPhone functionality and could reinstate import restrictions if the redesign is found to fall within the ban.
  • Apple restored Blood Oxygen to U.S. models in August after Customs and Border Protection approved a redesign that records data on the watch but shows results only in the iPhone Health app.
  • Masimo has sued Customs over that approval, while Apple contests Masimo’s ITC petition and continues to appeal the commission’s 2023 import block.
  • Parallel litigation continues, including a Santa Ana jury weighing Masimo’s claim that Apple owes up to $749 million in patent damages.