Court Denies Apple's Bid to Overturn $634M Masimo Patent Verdict

A federal judge in California denied Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) motion to overturn a jury verdict from December 2025, which found that Apple infringed patents owned by Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI). The original verdict awarded Masimo $634 million in damages.

Details of the Ruling

The judge rejected Apple's motion for judgment as a matter of law, stating that the evidence presented at trial supported the jury's finding. The court also denied Apple's request for a new trial. As a result, the $634 million judgment remains in effect, and Apple is required to pay the damages.

Company's Position

Apple has announced it will appeal the decision, arguing that the verdict was not supported by sufficient evidence. Separately, Apple is involved in another legal battle with Masimo over trade secrets, which is also expected to be appealed.

Precedents and Context

The dispute dates back to 2020 when Masimo sued Apple, alleging infringement of patents related to blood oxygen measurement technology used in the Apple Watch. In October 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued an import ban on certain Apple Watch models for infringing Masimo's patents, prompting Apple to remove the blood oxygen feature from watches sold in the U.S.

Potential Financial Impact

The $634 million judgment is significant but not existential for Apple, which holds over $150 billion in cash. However, the ongoing litigation could lead to additional legal costs and reputational damage. For Masimo, the ruling is a major victory that strengthens its negotiating position in future disputes.