AliveCor Faces Setback in Patent Case Against Apple
AliveCor, a medical device company, has encountered a significant obstacle in its ongoing patent dispute with Apple over electrocardiogram (EKG) technology. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled that AliveCor’s EKG patents are not patentable, effectively preventing a second import ban on Apple Watches featuring EKG capabilities by the International Trade Commission (ITC).
The legal battle between AliveCor and Apple began in 2021 when AliveCor accused the tech giant of infringing on its EKG patents. The company sought an import ban through the ITC, which initially ruled in AliveCor’s favor, recommending a ban on Apple Watches with EKG features. However, the import ban was put on hold after the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) deemed the patents invalid.
To enforce the import ban, AliveCor needed to overturn the PTAB’s decision. The recent Federal Circuit ruling, which upheld the PTAB’s decision, has dealt a significant blow to AliveCor’s case. The company has expressed disappointment and stated it will explore further legal options.
Sanjay Voleti, AliveCor’s chief business officer, voiced the company’s dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. “We are disappointed by today’s ruling and strongly disagree with the court’s decision,” Voleti said. He emphasized the company’s commitment to defending its patents and intellectual property rights.
On the other hand, Apple welcomed the court’s decision. Fred Sainz, an Apple spokesperson, stated, “We appreciate the Federal Circuit’s careful consideration of this case and are pleased with today’s decision.” Sainz also highlighted Apple’s dedication to developing health and wellness features for its users.
This case bears similarities to another recent patent dispute involving medical device company Masimo. Masimo successfully obtained an ITC import ban against Apple for its blood oxygen sensor patents. In response, Apple disabled the blood oxygen sensor in Apple Watches sold in the U.S. to comply with the ban.
As the legal battle continues, the tech and medical device industries will be closely watching for any further developments in this high-stakes patent dispute between AliveCor and Apple.
