**Masimo CEO Steps Down Amid Continuing Legal Fight with Apple Over Patent Violation**
In a noteworthy development, Masimo Corporation, a firm celebrated for its cutting-edge health technologies, is grappling with a turbulent phase as its CEO, Joe Kiani, has declared his resignation. This choice comes during a period when Masimo is engaged in a legal clash with the tech behemoth Apple, which has led to a temporary prohibition on the sale of specific Apple Watch models in the United States due to claims of patent violation.
### Masimo Selects New Interim CEO
Following Kiani’s departure, Masimo has designated Michelle Brennan, a current board member, as the interim CEO. In her new capacity, Brennan expressed her appreciation for the confidence shown in her by the board and her eagerness to steer Masimo through this transitional phase. She highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and providing continued support to its customers while facing the emerging challenges.
Despite the shift in leadership, Masimo has reaffirmed its commitment to its ongoing business strategies, which involve exploring options for its consumer audio and healthcare segments. The motivations behind Kiani’s resignation remain ambiguous, but his engagement in the ongoing legal dispute with Apple has been notable.
### The Legal Conflict Over the Apple Watch
The essence of the legal struggle between Masimo and Apple centers around the blood oxygen monitoring feature launched in the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020. Masimo asserts that Apple has infringed upon its patented pulse oximetry technology, leading to a court ruling in January 2023 that found Apple liable for patent infringement. In October, the International Trade Commission (ITC) upheld this ruling, resulting in a restriction on the sale of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the U.S.
To comply with the court’s ruling, Apple has agreed to disable the pulse oximetry capability on Apple Watch models sold in the U.S. This action underlines the gravity of the allegations and the possible repercussions for Apple’s product offerings in the healthcare technology realm.
### Kiani’s Critique of Apple
Joe Kiani has been outspoken in his critique of Apple throughout the conflict. Earlier this year, he accused the tech giant of “disguising” the health features of the Apple Watch, implying that they are not as dependable as advertised. Kiani also claimed that Apple intentionally appropriated Masimo’s intellectual property, further escalating the hostility between the two corporations.
### Conclusion
As Masimo shifts to new leadership under Michelle Brennan, the company faces the dual obstacle of managing its internal transitions while continuing to tackle the ongoing legal battle with Apple. The resolution of this dispute could have significant consequences not only for Masimo and Apple but also for the wider health technology ecosystem. With both companies focused on innovation, the outcome of this conflict will be keenly observed by industry stakeholders and consumers alike.
