In response to an ITC ruling, Apple is removing pulse oximetry from Apple Watch models. Masimo supports the change as a step toward accountability. Blood oxygen will remain available to owners.
Medical technology startup Masimo reports that Apple is updating some Apple Watch models to comply with a court judgment. Masimo told the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that Apple is removing pulse oximetry from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
This change follows a US International Trade Commission (ITC) rule banning blood oxygen-equipped Apple watches. The ITC found Apple violated Masimo’s pulse oximetry patents.
Apple will temporarily delete the blood oxygen app from US-sold phones. This approach is considered as an attempt to comply with the ITC order and avoid the blood oxygen watch ban.
The Masimo Response
Masimo said Apple’s decision was a positive step toward responsibility. The company stressed that major corporations must respect smaller firms’ intellectual property rights and follow ITC orders when infringing.
Impact on Users
Existing Apple watch owners should keep the blood oxygen feature. Other models sold abroad should not be affected by this modification.
Apple watches were prohibited from US sales last year by the ITC for patent breaches. An appeals court temporarily lifted the restriction, allowing Apple to sell the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 at some US retailers.
Conclusion
In response to an ITC order, Apple is removing pulse oximetry from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Apple’s blood oxygen watches were banned from import and sale by the ITC, violating Masimo’s pulse oximetry patents. Apple will temporarily delete the blood oxygen app from US models. Apple watch customers can keep the blood oxygen feature.
