Apple has suffered another setback in its long-running legal battle with medical technology company Masimo. A U.S. federal judge rejected Apple’s appeal, leaving the company responsible for paying $634 million to Masimo’s new owner, Danaher.
Although the ruling confirms the financial penalty, it does not affect current Apple Watch users. The smartwatch’s blood oxygen monitoring feature remains available after Apple introduced a software update in January 2024 that allowed sales to continue despite earlier legal challenges.
Appeal Rejected by Federal Court
Apple challenged the jury’s decision by arguing that the court had incorrectly interpreted the legal definition of a “patient monitor.” However, U.S. District Judge James V. Selna rejected Apple’s request for a new judgment and also denied its request for a new trial.
As a result, the original $634 million award remains in place. While legal experts believe Apple could still explore other options, the latest ruling significantly narrows the company’s path forward.
Apple Watch Avoids a Sales Ban
Masimo originally sought stronger penalties, including restrictions on Apple Watch sales and changes to the blood oxygen sensor. Those efforts were unsuccessful. Instead, the case concluded with a financial award rather than a permanent product ban.
The patents at the center of the dispute are also approaching expiration in 2028 and 2029. Consequently, the legal battle may have limited long-term impact on Apple’s future smartwatch development.
Danaher Becomes the Main Beneficiary
The payment will now go to Danaher, which acquired Masimo for $9.9 billion in June 2026. The acquisition changed ownership of the company before the appeal reached its conclusion.
According to the report, Danaher expects Masimo to generate more than $530 million in EBITDA during 2027. The court-ordered payment therefore provides a significant financial boost to the company’s new owner.
Long-Running Dispute Nears Its End
The Apple Watch patent dispute has lasted for years and has involved court rulings, sales restrictions, software changes, and multiple appeals. Even so, the latest decision suggests the legal fight is nearing its conclusion.
For consumers, the outcome changes little in daily use. Apple Watch owners can continue using the blood oxygen feature, while Apple absorbs the financial cost of one of the technology industry’s most closely watched patent disputes.
