Apple’s smartwatch is under attack!
A US medical technology company accuses the iPhone group of stealing ideas and infringing patents while developing the Apple Watch.
The Californian company Masimo is primarily concerned with the medical functions of the Apple watch in its lawsuit. The Series 6 model would infringe a total of five of their patents, such as “ Bloomberg ”reports. The primary concern here is the optical sensor that is used to measure the wearer’s blood oxygen levels. The technology used here is based on patented solutions that are “a key” for Masimo’s business model.
Import stop required
Masimo has been trying to take action against Apple and the built-in health functions of the watch since April 2020. Now the allegations have been renewed based on the Apple Watch Series 6 presented in autumn 2020. The aim is to obtain at least a ban on imports of the watch produced in Asia into the USA.
While observers don’t think it could come to that, they think a comparison between companies is entirely possible. Sums of 50 to 300 million dollars per year in license fees that Apple could pay to Masimo are conceivable.
The company also accuses Apple of having officially talked about technology exchange at meetings in the past, but never collaborating. Later, however, employees from Masimo switched to Apple.
While the iPhone manufacturer rejected the initial allegations at the time, there is no further statement from the group on the new allegations. It is not yet clear when a decision will be made in the case.