Apple has successfully defended itself against medical device company AliveCor in a high-profile patent dispute. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of Apple on Friday, dismissing AliveCor’s attempt to block the import of Apple Watches into the United States. This decision nullifies a previous ruling by a US trade tribunal that had found Apple guilty of infringing AliveCor’s patents.
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Court Overturns AliveCor’s Heart-Monitoring Patent Claims
The Federal Circuit upheld the invalidation of AliveCor’s heart-rate monitoring patents, which the company had accused Apple of violating. This decision effectively negates the US International Trade Commission’s (ITC) earlier ruling, which stated that Apple had infringed AliveCor’s intellectual property rights.
AliveCor expressed disappointment over the verdict, with a spokesperson stating that the company is exploring “all available legal options, including potential appeals.” Despite the unfavorable ruling, AliveCor reassured stakeholders that its ongoing business operations remain unaffected.
Conversely, Apple emphasized its dedication to innovation.” A company spokesperson emphasized that Apple’s teams have dedicated years of hard work to creating top-tier health, wellness, and safety features that significantly enhance users’ lives.”
AliveCor’s Allegations Against Apple
Mountain View-based AliveCor initially sought to ban Apple Watch imports through the ITC in 2021, claiming Apple had infringed on three patents. The dispute centered around AliveCor’s KardiaBand, an accessory designed for the Apple Watch that monitors heart rate, detects irregularities and performs electrocardiograms (ECGs) to identify conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
AliveCor asserted that Apple had integrated its patented technology into Apple Watch models starting with Series 4 and subsequently modified iOS to render the KardiaBand incompatible. This move, AliveCor argued, effectively eliminated its product from the market.
US Patent Office Ruling and ITC Response
In 2022, Apple petitioned the US Patent Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board to review AliveCor’s patents. The board sided with Apple, declaring the patents invalid. Shortly thereafter, the ITC determined that had the patents been valid, AliveCor would have been entitled to an import ban on infringing Apple Watches. However, the ITC placed the import ban on hold pending the Federal Circuit’s review.
With Friday’s ruling, the Federal Circuit confirmed Apple’s stance that AliveCor’s patents lacked validity, officially closing the ITC case.
Apple wins patent battle against AliveCor, avoids potential Apple Watch import ban https://t.co/zcapHpuilT #Apple
— AppleInsider (@appleinsider) March 8, 2025
Apple’s Ongoing Legal Battles Over Smartwatch Technology
Apple has faced other legal challenges concerning its smartwatch technology. In 2023, the company encountered a separate import ban on certain Apple Watch models due to a patent dispute with medical technology firm Masimo. The issue pertained to Masimo’s blood-oxygen monitoring technology. Apple appealed that decision and resumed sales of affected models after removing the contested technology.
Legal Proceedings and Representation
The cases related to this dispute include AliveCor Inc. v. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the International Trade Commission, Case No. 23-1509, and AliveCor Inc. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 23-1512, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Legal representatives for the case included:
- Apple: Melanie Bostwick of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Mark Davies of White & Case.
- AliveCor: Sean Pak of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.
Apple’s victory in this patent dispute solidifies its position in the smartwatch market, allowing the company to continue selling Apple Watches without restrictions. While AliveCor may explore further legal actions, this ruling underscores the tech giant’s ability to defend its innovations and maintain dominance in the wearable technology industry.
