New US Investigation Puts Future Apple Watch Imports at Risk Amid Masimo Patent Clash

Apple, and Masimo’s Patent Battle Reignites as ITC Opens New Investigation

The U.S. International Trade Commission has stepped back into the long-running fight between Apple, and medical-technology firm Masimo, opening a new investigation that could once again block Apple Watch imports into the United States. The tribunal announced the review after Masimo claimed that Apple’s most recent redesign of its smartwatch still uses patented blood-oxygen technology.

The move adds fresh pressure on Apple, which has already spent months navigating earlier rulings that restricted sales of its popular smartwatch models. What began as a dispute over a single sensor feature has now grown into one of the most intense patent battles in the wearable-technology market.

The Road to a Renewed Investigation

The friction between Apple, and Masimo isn’t new. It started years ago when Masimo accused Apple of lifting ideas from its medical-grade pulse-oximetry sensors. Masimo also argued that Apple hired several of its employees, and used their internal knowledge to build similar features into the Apple Watch.

After months of hearings, the ITC ruled that Apple’s earlier watch models infringed Masimo’s patents. That ruling triggered a temporary import ban on the Series 9, and Ultra 2 watches. Apple responded by disabling the blood-oxygen feature in the U.S. versions of those models.

The company didn’t stop there. In mid of 2025, Apple submitted a revised version of the watch to U.S. Customs, and Border Protection, claiming the redesign removed the infringing technology. Customs agreed, and allowed imports to resume. Masimo challenged that decision immediately, saying the changes were “cosmetic” and didn’t fix the core patent issue.

That challenge is what pushed the ITC to open this new investigation.

The Core Question of the New Probe

The tribunal will now examine one key question: Does Apple’s new redesign still violate Masimo’s patents?

This review will look at technical designs, engineering documents, and the specific way the watch measures blood-oxygen levels. ITC officials said they expect the investigation to take around six months, although larger cases like this sometimes stretch longer.

If the tribunal decides Apple’s updated watches still infringe, it can issue a new import ban. Unlike the earlier ruling, this ban could be stronger, and more immediate, especially since Masimo claims Apple is repeatedly avoiding compliance.

Apple, for its part, says the allegations have no merit. A spokesperson said the company has worked within legal limits, and redesigned the feature to remove any overlap with Masimo’s patents.

A Multi-Layered Legal War

The patent dispute is only one layer in a multi-front legal war:

• Masimo has accused Apple of stealing trade secrets by hiring away key engineers.
• The company has also filed federal lawsuits claiming damages that could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Apple has appealed earlier ITC rulings, arguing that blood-oxygen monitoring is a widely used technology, and not exclusive to Masimo’s designs.

Both sides have been fighting in separate courts in California, where Masimo has pushed for compensation worth up to $749 million.

The fight isn’t only about money. Wearable devices are moving deeper into health tracking, and whichever company controls these patents will have an advantage for years.

Potential Impact on Consumers

For most Apple Watch owners, the case might sound like a distant business dispute. But the impact could show up directly in what users can buy or use in the U.S.

If the ITC reinstates a ban:

• Certain Apple Watch models could disappear from shelves.
• New upcoming releases may launch without the blood-oxygen feature.
• There may be a gap between the U.S., and international models, with U.S. buyers missing features that, remain active in other countries.
• Prices for older models could rise temporarily due to reduced supply.

Consumers who rely on the blood-oxygen reading for training or health monitoring would be the most affected. Apple may try to replace or modify the feature again, but that process could take months.

Strategic Implications for Apple

The Apple Watch has become a major part of its business. It leads the global smartwatch market, and plays a central role in Apple’s health-tracking ecosystem.

A renewed import ban would push Apple to rethink parts of its hardware, and software design. It might need to:

• Rebuild the sensor from scratch.
• License Masimo’s technology.
• Remove the feature entirely in the U.S. for a long period.
• Delay upcoming Apple Watch models until the legal situation settles.

While Apple has strong engineering capabilities, redesigning health sensors is complex. These components must meet regulatory standards, and deliver accurate readings while using minimal power — a difficult balance for wearables.

Broader Consequences for the Wearable Tech Industry

If Apple’s watch faces restrictions again, it opens a window for competitors. Companies like Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit, and even medical-grade device makers could gain customers who want uninterrupted health features.

Masimo, meanwhile, could gain leverage in the industry. If it wins this case, other companies that use or plan to use blood-oxygen sensors might need to license Masimo’s patents. That could reshape the economics of wearable health technology.

This conflict also highlights a larger trend: As consumer devices begin to overlap more with medical devices, patent, and compliance issues will only grow. Companies will be forced to tread carefully, when blending health monitoring with everyday electronics.

The Investor Perspective

Although Apple remains financially strong, long legal battles can still affect market outlook. Investors are watching closely because:

• A ban could weaken U.S. Apple Watch sales.
• The redesign process might increase production costs.
• Future legal fights with other medical-technology firms are possible.
• Any delay in Watch launches could impact quarterly results.

Analysts say the impact depends heavily on whether the ITC issues another ban or gives Apple clearance to continue imports. A settlement between the companies would stabilize the situation, but that doesn’t appear likely in the near term.

What to Watch For Next

The next six months will be important. Some possible developments include:

• Updates from the ITC about the pace of the review.
• Any temporary restrictions placed on new imports.
• Apple announcing another feature change or redesign.
• Masimo filing new motions to block imports more aggressively.
• The appeals court issuing opinions that may influence the ITC’s ruling.
• Evidence leaks or disclosures that reveal more about the technical dispute.

Any of these could shift the situation in favor of one side only.

Conclusion

The new ITC investigation is a major turning point in the Apple-Masimo conflict. What began as a disagreement over one health feature has evolved into a complex legal battle, and the repercussions will be felt across the industry—from consumers, and investors to every company in the wearable-tech space.

Apple insists its redesign complies with patent rules. Masimo argues that Apple continues to use its proprietary ideas. The ITC company will now decide which claim stands, and the outcome could shape the future of health-tracking technology in consumer devices.

For now, the Apple Watch remains available in the United States, but that status is not guaranteed. The coming months will reveal whether Apple’s latest redesign passes legal scrutiny or whether the company faces yet another import ban that could disrupt one of its most valuable products.