The ongoing legal dispute surrounding the blood oxygen sensor of the Apple Watch has seen significant developments. In 2023, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo, resulting in a temporary import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models due to patent infringement claims. However, the ITC recently denied Masimo's request for an additional import ban and opted against reviewing an earlier ruling that stated the redesigned Apple Watch does not violate Masimo's patents.
This outcome is a notable victory for Apple, allowing it to potentially reinstate blood oxygen monitoring in its devices unless Masimo decides to appeal. The legal saga began in 2020 when Masimo first filed suit, alleging that Apple’s sensor infringed on its patented technology. In January 2023, the ITC confirmed Apple's infringement, leading to an import ban that forced Apple to disable the blood oxygen feature on its watches.
In a separate ruling in November 2025, a jury awarded Masimo $634 million after finding that Apple had infringed on one of its patents. Apple has stated its intent to appeal this decision, arguing that the patent in question had expired in 2022. Despite the recent ITC decision, Masimo has indicated its commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights in the ongoing legal battle.