Oct 25 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) convinced a federal

jury on Friday that health monitoring tech company Masimo's ( MASI )

smartwatches infringe two of its design patents.

The jury, in Delaware, agreed with Apple ( AAPL ) that Masimo's ( MASI ) W1

and Freedom watches and chargers willfully violated Apple's ( AAPL )

patent rights in smartwatch designs, awarding the tech giant

$250 in damages. Apple's ( AAPL ) attorneys told the court the "ultimate

purpose" of its lawsuit was to win an injunction against sales

of Masimo's ( MASI ) smartwatches after an infringement ruling.

The jury also determined that Masimo's ( MASI ) watches did not

infringe Apple ( AAPL ) patents covering smartwatch inventions that the

tech giant had accused Masimo ( MASI ) of copying.

Masimo ( MASI ) said in a statement that the company appreciated the

jury's verdict "in favor of Masimo ( MASI ) and against Apple ( AAPL ) on nearly

all issues," and that the decision only applied to a

"discontinued module and charger."

"Apple ( AAPL ) primarily sought an injunction against Masimo's ( MASI )

current products, and the jury's verdict is a victory for Masimo ( MASI )

on that issue," Masimo ( MASI ) said.

Apple ( AAPL ) said in a statement that it was "glad the jury's

decision today will protect the innovations we advance on behalf

of our customers."

Irvine, California-based Masimo ( MASI ) accused Apple ( AAPL ) of hiring

away its employees and stealing its pulse oximetry technology

after discussing a potential collaboration. Masimo ( MASI ) convinced the

U.S. International Trade Commission last year to block imports

of Apple's ( AAPL ) Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches after the

commission found that their technology for reading blood oxygen

levels infringed Masimo's ( MASI ) patents.

Apple ( AAPL ) has appealed the decision and resumed selling the

watches after removing the technology. The tech giant

countersued Masimo ( MASI ) for patent infringement in 2022, alleging

that Masimo ( MASI ) copied Apple Watch features to use in its

smartwatches.

Apple ( AAPL ) also accused Masimo ( MASI ) of using lawsuits at the ITC

and in California to "make way for Masimo's ( MASI ) own watch." Masimo ( MASI )

said Apple's ( AAPL ) patent lawsuit was "retaliatory" and "an attempt to

avoid the court in which the parties have been litigating their

dispute."