Masimo Sues U.S. Customs Over Apple’s Redesigned Blood Oxygen Feature
Masimo has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after Apple announced a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature for the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Watch Ultra 2. The update measures and calculates SpO2 data on users’ paired iPhones instead of on the watch itself — a move Apple said was “enabled by a recent US Customs ruling.”
Background
The legal dispute between Masimo and Apple dates back to 2021, when Masimo sued Apple alleging infringement of light‑based blood oxygen monitoring patents. In 2023, an administrative ruling (the ITC) sided with Masimo, leading to a temporary U.S. import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 and the removal of Apple’s Blood Oxygen app from units sold in the U.S.
Apple’s Workaround
To resume U.S. sales, Apple removed the Blood Oxygen app from affected watches and later introduced a redesigned feature that offloads blood oxygen calculations to the paired iPhone. Users can view readings in the Respiratory section of the Health app.
Masimo’s Complaint
Masimo says it learned of the CBP ruling only when Apple announced the feature and alleges CBP “exceeded its authority” by not giving both sides a chance to be heard. Masimo is seeking an injunction to block CBP’s decision and asks that imports be allowed only if the SpO2 function is disabled.
Masimo: “Each passing day that this unlawful ruling remains in effect irreparably deprives Masimo of its right to be free from unfair trade practices and to preserve its competitive standing in the US marketplace.”
Sources
- MacRumors — Masimo sues after Apple workaround
- 9to5Mac — Masimo sues US Customs
- Engadget — Masimo files lawsuit over Apple’s redesigned Blood Oxygen feature
Buy
Apple Watch Series 9 (search): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+Watch+Series+9&tag=f1rede-20
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (search): https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+Watch+Ultra+2&tag=f1rede-20
Originally reported by Engadget. Links to source coverage provided above.