Masimo CEO Opens Up On Smartwatch Patent Dispute With Apple (Image: Masimo)

Amid the legal battle between medical technology firm Masimo and Apple, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani claimed that the company is open to a settlement discussion over the dispute. In an interview with Bloomberg, Joe Kiani stated that any settlement talks should include an apology. Earlier, Apple said that they would halt the sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States.

Apple took this crucial decision due to a long-running patent dispute between Apple and Masimo to the blood oxygen sensor technology in the Apple smartwatch. “These guys have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar,” said California-based Masimo”s CEO. In the interview, when asked if a settlement was a possibility between Masimo and Apple, Joe Kiani said the “short answer is yes.” Masimo CEO also added that the company would certainly “work with them to improve their product” as well. At the same time, Masimo CEO also said that tech giant Apple has not yet contacted them.

Joe Kiani said that it is not an accidental infringement but a deliberate taking of their intellectual property. He also accused Apple of hiring 25 of his engineers, including the Chief Medical Officer. Notably, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will no longer be available on Apple’s website in the US after December 21. The sale of these watches from its retail locations will also be halted after December 24. In October, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that the Apple smartwatch violated patents to light-based technology owned by Masimo. The White House had 60 days to review the ITC order, and it will expire on December 25. However, the Joe Biden-led US administration has not yet taken any decision on this matter.