What’s happened? The US International Trade Commission has opened a new review that could again block imports of updated Apple Watch models into the country. On the same day, a California jury ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million over blood oxygen tech in the watch.
- Reuters reports the ITC will examine whether Apple’s redesigned blood oxygen feature still infringes Masimo patents and aims to finish within six months.
- Jurors said the Apple Watch’s workout mode and heart rate alerts violated a Masimo patent that expired in 2022 but covers older hospital monitoring tech.
- Apple plans to appeal and calls the case meritless, while Masimo describes the verdict as a major win for its intellectual property.
This is important because: The dispute hits one of the Apple Watch’s headline health tricks and could reshape how Apple sells its latest models in the US. It’s no longer a theoretical patent fight sitting in the background.
- If the ITC finds infringement again, imports of redesigned Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches into the US could be halted.
- Apple already pulled blood oxygen readings from some units to satisfy an earlier ban, then restored an updated version after US Customs gave approval.
- A $634 million award raises the stakes around Apple’s health sensor strategy, which it often leans on to justify premium pricing.
Why should I care? If you use an Apple Watch for health tracking or have an upgrade in mind, this could affect both features and availability. The watch on your wrist is now tied to a slow, messy legal fight.
- A renewed import block could limit how many newer models reach US retailers, especially specific finishes or bands.
- Apple has already shown it is willing to change or remove blood oxygen readings, so advertised features may not stay untouched for the full life of the device.
- For buyers who prioritize health data, the case is a reminder that some of the most advanced tools depend on how patent battles land.
Okay, so what’s next? For now, nothing vanishes from shelves overnight. Updated Apple Watch models remain on sale in the US, and the blood oxygen feature still works while regulators and courts sort through the next moves.
- The ITC expects to wrap its new review in about six months, so any fresh import limits would likely arrive on that kind of timetable.
- Apple is appealing the $634 million verdict and has also challenged the original ITC import ruling, while Masimo continues its own lawsuits on multiple fronts.
- If you are shopping soon, check which health features are active on the specific model you want and be ready for small software changes as the legal fight continues.
