Sam Brusco, Associate Editor01.10.20
Masimo, a patient monitoring company, and its spinoff, Ceracor Laboratories, have accused Apple of poaching employees and stealing company trade secrets and patented technology to be used to improve the Apple Watch’s health monitoring capabilities. Masimo filed a lawsuit yesterday in California federal court.
The lawsuit claims that Apple approached Masimo in 2013 to potentially collaborate on technology to non-invasively track heart rate, SPO2, and other health biometrics. Apple told Masimo the company wanted to learn more to potentially integrate the technology into Apple’s products, according to the claim.
However, after that meeting, Masimo claims “Apple quickly began trying to hire Masimo employees, including engineers and key management,” according to Law360. This included Masimo’s chief medical officer, Michael O’Reilly. A year later, Apple hired Cercacor’s chief technology officer and former Masimo scientist Marcelo Lamego.
“Some of the talent (Apple recruited) has access to deep wells of trade secrets and information,” Joe Kiani, Masimo CEO told Reuters at the time.
Masimo and Ceracor allege Apple used their technology for non-invasive light-based monitoring in the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 to conquer performance issues with the Watch. They are suing for infringement on 10 patents and aim to change five to make Masimo the owner or co-owner.
Two weeks ago, Apple was also accused by a New York cardiologist of incorporating patented technology that provides arrhythmia notifications.
The lawsuit claims that Apple approached Masimo in 2013 to potentially collaborate on technology to non-invasively track heart rate, SPO2, and other health biometrics. Apple told Masimo the company wanted to learn more to potentially integrate the technology into Apple’s products, according to the claim.
However, after that meeting, Masimo claims “Apple quickly began trying to hire Masimo employees, including engineers and key management,” according to Law360. This included Masimo’s chief medical officer, Michael O’Reilly. A year later, Apple hired Cercacor’s chief technology officer and former Masimo scientist Marcelo Lamego.
“Some of the talent (Apple recruited) has access to deep wells of trade secrets and information,” Joe Kiani, Masimo CEO told Reuters at the time.
Masimo and Ceracor allege Apple used their technology for non-invasive light-based monitoring in the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 to conquer performance issues with the Watch. They are suing for infringement on 10 patents and aim to change five to make Masimo the owner or co-owner.
Two weeks ago, Apple was also accused by a New York cardiologist of incorporating patented technology that provides arrhythmia notifications.
