Apple's Blood-Oxygen Feature Returns Amid Legal Challenges
Apple Reintroduces Blood-Oxygen Monitoring
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has made headlines by reinstating the blood-oxygen monitoring feature to its Apple Watch collection. This decision comes after U.S. Customs and Border Protection cleared the devices for import, prompting a significant response from medical technology company Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI), which is now challenging this ruling in court.
Legal Conflict Between Apple and Masimo
Just recently, Masimo filed a lawsuit against U.S. Customs in federal court in Washington, D.C., accusing the agency of acting without authority by reversing its previous decision. Reports indicate that Masimo claims it was not adequately informed about this sudden change.
The timing of this lawsuit is crucial since it came shortly after Apple announced the comeback of its blood-oxygen monitoring feature, a capability that had been disabled on U.S. models due to ongoing patent disputes.
Masimo's Arguments Against Customs
Masimo argues that Customs lacks the authority to create exemptions that could undermine an existing International Trade Commission exclusion order. This exclusion order, issued in 2023, was designed to prohibit imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches after regulators determined that Apple had infringed upon Masimo’s pulse oximetry patents.
According to Masimo, its legal filing states, "The role of Customs is to enforce ITC exclusion orders, not to generate loopholes that make them ineffective." Furthermore, the company revealed that it only became aware of the Customs ruling on August 1 after Apple announced the feature's reinstatement.
Apple Watch and Its Health Technology
The journey of blood-oxygen tracking in the Apple Watch began in 2020, marketed as an innovative tool for monitoring respiratory health. Unlike standard oximeters, this technology employs light sensors to gauge oxygen levels in the blood.
Masimo has alleged that Apple not only stole trade secrets to develop this feature but also engaged in poaching its employees, leading to multiple legal disputes regarding patent infringement beyond the initial ITC case.
Apple's Market Position in Health Technology
Despite the ongoing legal turmoil, Apple continues to sell redesigned models in the U.S. market, temporarily without the blood-oxygen functionality, while alternative versions without this restriction are available globally. The anticipated return of the feature is set to occur through a software update for Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models running watchOS 11.6.1 and paired with iOS 18.6.1.
Apple has positioned the Apple Watch as a pivotal device in the health sector, with aspirations extending to advanced monitoring features like noninvasive glucose testing. The competitive landscape includes other tech giants such as Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC: SSNLF) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL), who are also pushing the boundaries of health-focused smartwatches, thereby intensifying the competition in this burgeoning market.
Masimo is seeking judicial intervention to rescind Customs’ ruling and to reinstate the previous ban on Apple Watches equipped with blood-oxygen monitoring capabilities. Apple, on its part, has not provided immediate commentary regarding these developments.
Price Movement: Recently, Apple’s shares experienced a decline of 1.97% during regular trading and dipped further by 0.18% in after-hours trading. Market insights indicate that AAPL demonstrates strong momentum, maintaining favorable rankings across various timeframes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal issues is Apple facing related to the blood-oxygen feature?
Apple is currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by Masimo, which challenges U.S. Customs' decision to allow the importation of its watches with the blood-oxygen monitoring feature.
When did Apple first introduce blood-oxygen monitoring?
Apple first incorporated blood-oxygen monitoring into its Apple Watch lineup in 2020 as a part of its health tracking capabilities.
How does the blood-oxygen monitoring technology work?
This technology utilizes light sensors to measure the oxygen saturation in a person's blood, akin to traditional clinical oximeters.
What steps is Masimo taking in its lawsuit?
Masimo is asking the court to reverse Customs' ruling and restore the prohibition on Apple Watch models with blood-oxygen monitoring.
What impact does this have on Apple's business strategy?
This legal action highlights the competitive pressures Apple faces within the health tech sector, as it seeks to expand its offerings amid patent challenges and rival advancements.
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