The US International Trade Commission has delivered a significant ruling that allows Apple to continue selling its redesigned smartwatches without the threat of an import ban. This decision stems from a case involving Masimo, a medical technology company that had previously sought to impose restrictions on Apple due to patent disputes over blood-oxygen monitoring technology.
In March, the ITC had indicated through a preliminary ruling that Apple’s updated smartwatches do not violate Masimo’s patents. Following this recent determination, the ITC has terminated the case, effectively rejecting Masimo's request for a renewed import ban on the updated devices. Apple expressed gratitude for the ruling, noting that Masimo's legal challenges have faced consistent rejection.
This ruling could mark a turning point in the ongoing legal conflict that began in 2021 when Masimo first filed against Apple. The company had previously succeeded in obtaining a ruling that found Apple in violation of its patents, resulting in an earlier import ban. In a separate matter, a jury recently ordered Apple to pay $634 million to Masimo in another patent infringement case, illustrating the complexity of their legal battles.