Apple has been ordered to pay an extra $184 million in interest in its long-running patent dispute with health-tech company Masimo over blood oxygen features in the Apple Watch, according to 9to5Mac and GSMArena. The original $634 million jury verdict, delivered in November of last year, has now grown to roughly $818 million.
The ruling, issued by US District Judge James V. Selna, rejects Apple's argument that adding interest would hand Masimo a windfall. The decision matters because it keeps one of the most closely watched wearable patent fights alive, even as Apple prepares new Watch models.
Masimo patent case: how the $818M bill adds up
The case dates back to a jury finding that Apple infringed Masimo patents covering a power-efficient way to measure blood oxygen. Masimo was awarded $634 million in damages, equivalent to the license fees Apple should have paid, and the new order adds $184 million in interest compounded annually from when the infringement began.
Judge Selna cited US Supreme Court guidance that interest from the time royalty payments would have been received “merely serves to make the patent owner whole.” Apple had argued that interest would unfairly enrich Masimo.
- Original jury verdict: $634 million in damages
- Additional interest: $184 million, compounded annually
- New total: about $818 million
- Masimo had sought a 7% rate, which would have meant $243 million in interest; the judge rejected that request
