Masimo and Apple File Post-Trial Briefs in Apple Watch IP Dispute

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Masimo Apple Watch IP Trial Briefs

Masimo Corp. and Apple Inc. have filed dueling post-trial briefs in a California federal court, following a retrial over allegations that Apple misappropriated Masimo’s trade secrets to develop blood oxygen measurement technology in its Apple Watch. The filings come as U.S. District Judge James V. Selna, who presided as fact-finder in the retrial, prepares to decide whether Masimo has proven its claims against the tech giant.

Masimo: Apple Poached Employees to Steal Trade Secrets

Masimo contends that Apple recruited key employees, including Dr. Marcelo Lamego, to gain access to its trade secrets related to pulse oximetry technology, which measures blood oxygen levels using light passed through the body. Masimo asserts that Apple’s smartwatches featuring this capability infringe on its intellectual property and has asked Judge Selna to block Apple from making or selling watches using the misappropriated technology.

“Each of Masimo’s trade secrets helps reduce signal noise, which is critical for calculating blood oxygen,” the company stated in its brief. Masimo argued that the feature was a major selling point for the Apple Watch Series 6 and Series 7, contributing significantly to Apple’s profits before the feature was disabled in early 2024 due to an International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling.