The decision, issued by an ITC administrative law judge and made public Thursday, concludes that modifications introduced by Apple successfully avoid violating Masimo’s intellectual property. The ruling addresses changes Apple implemented after a 2023 import ban that had blocked certain smartwatch models from entering the U.S. market over patent concerns.
The full commission is expected to review the preliminary finding and determine whether to uphold it in a final decision.
In a parallel development, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the ITC’s earlier 2023 ruling that Apple’s previous smartwatch designs infringed Masimo’s patents. Despite that decision, Apple has already resumed imports of updated versions of its devices that reflect design adjustments aimed at compliance.
Apple welcomed the latest ITC determination, stating it was “pleased” with the outcome while continuing to explore further legal options related to the appellate ruling. The company also reiterated its position that many of Masimo’s claims over the years have been unsuccessful.
Masimo declined to comment on the latest development.
The dispute is part of a broader, multi-front legal conflict between the two companies, centered on pulse oximetry technology used to measure blood oxygen levels. Masimo has accused Apple of recruiting its employees and misappropriating proprietary innovations for integration into Apple’s smartwatch products.
The ITC’s original import ban in December 2023 targeted Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 models. In response, Apple removed the blood-oxygen feature from affected devices before later introducing a revised version, which received clearance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In the updated design, blood-oxygen data is displayed on paired devices such as iPhones rather than directly on the watch.
Masimo has challenged that approval in a separate legal action against U.S. Customs.
The legal battle extends beyond the ITC. Masimo recently secured a $634 million jury verdict against Apple in a California federal court case involving patent infringement and trade secrets. Apple has indicated it plans to appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, Masimo is undergoing its own corporate shift, having agreed in February to be acquired by Danaher in a deal valued at $9.9 billion.
The outcome of the ITC’s final decision, along with ongoing appeals and related lawsuits, is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of health-monitoring technology in consumer devices.