A federal jury in Delaware awarded Apple Inc. $250 on Friday, finding the original designs of Masimo Corp’s smartwatches infringed Apple Watch design patterns, Bloomberg Law reported.
The jury’s mixed verdict marks the latest chapter in a long-running clash over smartwatch patents pitting Apple, a tech giant worth more than $3.5 trillion, against Masimo valued at $7.5 billion. The dispute led to an import ban of certain Apple Watch models on Christmas Day of last year, the appeal of which is pending at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Apple’s $250 damages demand was the minimum it could ask for while seeking a jury trial instead of a bench trial over Masimo’s alleged infringement of the Apple Watch’s aesthetic and functionality. Although Apple won damages form the jury, the decision all but removed its chance to block Masimo’s current products.
Reuters reported Apple convinced a federal jury on Friday that early version of health monitoring tech company Masimo’s smartwatches infringe on two of its design patents as part of a broader intellectual property dispute between the companies.
The jury, in Delaware, agreed with Apple that previous iterations of Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches and chargers willfully violated Apple’s patent rights in smartwatch designs.
But the jury awarded the tech giant, which is worth about $3.5 trillion, just $250 in damages — the statutory minimum for infringement in the United States.
Apple’s attorneys told the court the “ultimate purpose” of its lawsuit was not money, but to win an injunction against sales of Masimo’s smartwatches after an infringement ruling.
On that front, jury also determined that Masimo’s current watches did not infringe Apple patents covering inventions that the tech giant had accused Masimo of copying.
Engadget reported the legal battle between Apple and medical technology company Masimo rages on, with the bigger company — sorta, kinda — winning their latest face off.
A federal jury has agreed with Apple that previous versions of Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches infringed on its design patents, according to Reuters. It only awarded Apple $250 in damages, which is the smallest amount that could be awarded for patent infringement, but the company’s lawyers reportedly told the court that it wasn’t after money anyway.
What Apple, which is worth $3.5 trillion, wanted was an injunction on the sales of Masimo’s current smartwatch models. However, the jury determined that this newer models don’t violate Apple’s intellectual property. That is why Masimo is also treating the jury’s decision as a win, telling the news organization that it’s thankful for the verdict that’s “in favor of Masimo and against Apple on nearly all issues.”
In my opinion, it sounds as though Masimo and Apple are fighting for dominance over their specific patents. Both companies appear to believe that they have won their case.