Jury rules Masimo smartwatches infringe Apple design patents | Hacker News Reader

Jury rules Masimo smartwatches infringe Apple design patents

9to5mac.com

14 pointsmgh28 comments

U.S. judge rules Apple Watch infringed Masimo's pulse oximeter patent (94 points, 2 years ago, 42 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34360292

Apple to Remove Blood-Oxygen Tool to Avoid Ban, Masimo Says (10 points, 9 months ago) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39004951

Masimo CEO Joe Kiani resigns amid legal dispute with Apple (7 points, 1 month ago) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41652504

I hope they exchange patents and kiss and make up, so the pulse oximeter can be enabled again on the Apple watch.

The impact would appear to be low for Apple and good for Masimo. Only $250 in damages awarded. More importantly, as the article says:

> Masimo touts the jury’s ruling as a victory as Apple failed to win an injunction. “Apple primarily sought an injunction against Masimo’s current products, and the jury’s verdict is a victory for Masimo on that issue,” the company said in a statement.

I don't understand how the award is only $250? Isn't there some market standard for determining the damage amount

It's a jury trial Jake.

apple only claimed $250 damages. they got what they were asking for.

$250 in damages is the statutory minimum for infringement in the United States.

> Apple's attorneys told the court the "ultimate purpose" of its lawsuit was not money, but to win an injunction against sales of Masimo's smartwatches after an infringement ruling.

On this point, they lost.

> But the jury awarded [...] $250 in damages - the statutory minimum for infringement in the United States.

> Apple's attorneys told the court the "ultimate purpose" of its lawsuit was not money, but to win an injunction against sales of Masimo's smartwatches after an infringement ruling.

Based on this intent, Masimo's statement:

> Masimo touts the jury’s ruling as a victory as Apple failed to win an injunction.

is appropriate.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com