From Fortune Magazine:



In 2013, a scientist emailed Apple CEO Tim Cook with an idea to develop technology that would make Apple the No. 1 brand in the medical, fitness, and wellness market. Apple recruiter contacted the scientist, Marcelo Lamego, and just weeks later, he was developing a smartwatch with health sensors. Lamego left Apple months later, and after the debut of the Apple Watch in 2014, Masimo alleged that Apple had infringed on its patents.

Masimo claimed that Lamego seized its blood-oxygen technology and took it to Apple, helping turn the watch into a health device. Apple denies any wrongdoing and was sued by Masimo for poaching its employees and stealing trade secrets. Although Masimo failed to prove its claims in court, an appeals court recently ordered Apple to remove infringing models from the US.

Masimo is also marketing a similar smartwatch, the W1. CEO Joe Kiani says Apple should have worked with them instead of stealing their people. President Joe Biden, a friend of Kiani, could have intervened to stop the Apple Watch. In response, Apple countersued, claiming the W1 copied the Apple Watch’s design. Both companies are now accusing each other of stealing technology and talent, resulting in battles in the courtroom over patents and product designs.



Read more: Apple got caught with its ‘hands in the cookie jar’ over its Watch design and has been forced to temporarily pull the device off the market