Apple's defiance against patent infringement: Tim Cook refuses to license heart rate sensor
News outlets have been filled with alleged copyright infringement reports involving Apple for a while now. The tech giant implemented a technology to measure blood oxygen levels in their smartwatches, which Masimo had patented. Many presumed that Apple would buy the rights to use this patent, but the reality could be quite different.
5 Feb 2024 | updated: 7 March 2024 09:18
Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has clearly expressed his standpoint on potentially purchasing a license from Masimo. The Apple leader declared that he had no intention of paying Masimo for the permit.
This could lead to an end of the import ban on Apple Watch watches. Specifically, smartwatches outfitted with a saturation sensor, also known as a sensor that measures the oxygen level in the blood. The American conglomerate decided to disable this feature in the watch software.
It's worth noting that Masimo's CEO has also revealed some of his company's plans. They are prepared to enter into a sort of agreement with Apple, likely concerning receiving payments for every smartwatch sold that is equipped with an oxygen level sensor patented by Masimo.
Disabling sensors that measure blood saturation is a temporary fix. During a live interview on CNBC, Tim Cook announced his company won't concede its rights in court. Despite losing the case against Masimo initially, they are currently centred on filing a practical appeal.
Until now, few anticipated this particular chain of events linked to the import ban of Apple watches. However, Tim Cook reassures potential customers. In his appearance on CNBC, he assured that buying the latest model of the Apple Watch is still a wise move. Countless arguments support this decision, and sales results clearly indicate that customers agree with Apple's CEO.
The debates concerning the import ban on certain Apple Watch models are fascinating. However, it is essential to remember that this only pertains to devices available on the American market. Here are the two latest models under discussion:
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
These smartwatch models can still be purchased without hindrances in the United States. Technically, they are identical to the versions showcased at their premiere. Apple disabled the "problematic" blood oxygen level sensor via a software update. The company will likely be able to unset the block on this sensor just as swiftly. Apple has yet to confirm this officially, but it represents a probable part of their strategy if they are victorious in court.
The models that launched in the U.S.A. before 18 January 2024 do not face any restrictions.
