Apple Settling With Masimo Over The Oximeter Patent Infringement Will Be Expensive, But Is The Easier Solution, Claims New Report

wccftech.com:

Masimo successfully managed to enact an Apple Watch sales ban in the U.S., and though the healthcare technology firm may have found an enemy in Apple, its CEO, Joe Kiani, is still open to settlement talks with the largest smartwatch maker in the world. According to one report, settling with Masimo would be the best course for Apple, as a different route will mean the latter will have to undertake a ton of responsibility of bringing not just software but hardware modifications to its wearable lineup that support a blood oxygen meter.

In the latest TrendForce report, the research firm highlights two ways on how Apple can resume sales of its watch family, with one of them having to do with adjusting the software and hardware aspects of its products, reapply for approval, and then potentially resume sales.

“Given the current situation, there are several possible developments. Firstly, Apple may reapply for approval of a redesigned model by regulatory authorities, allowing them to resume sales after making necessary adjustments.”

Unfortunately, it only appears easy on paper, as changing an Apple Watch’s internals can take away months of progress, not to mention the time it takes to review the changes. Given that the Cupertino giant unveils a new model every 12 months, this decision does not appear practical from any angle, which leaves Apple with just one alternative; settling with Masimo.

Sadly, Apple has had a poor settlement history too, where it has been on the losing end of a battle with companies like Qualcomm and had to pay out around $4.5 billion. On the other hand, Masimo has already won two patent infringement cases on previous occasions, with one of them later securing a licensing deal that brought in $1 billion for