In a significant legal victory for Apple, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s summary judgment in favor of the tech giant, effectively ending medical device maker AliveCor’s antitrust claims related to the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitoring features. The ruling, issued on January 8, 2026, rejects AliveCor’s allegations that Apple illegally monopolized the market for heart rate analysis apps on the Apple Watch by restricting third-party access to certain heart rate data through watchOS updates. Background of the Dispute The legal battle between Apple and AliveCor dates back to 2021, when AliveCor filed an antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple of anticompetitive practices under Section 2 of the Sherman Act. AliveCor claimed that Apple deliberately changed its heart rate algorithm in watchOS 5, shifting from the Heart Rate Path Optimizer to a new Heart Rate Neural Network algorithm. This change, according to AliveCor, degraded the performance of its SmartRhythm feature — an AI-powered tool designed to detect irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation — while Apple rolled out its own competing Irregular Rhythm Notification feature. AliveCor argued that Apple had a duty to continue providing access to the older algorithm’s data, allowing third-party developers to compete fairly in the purported market for watchOS heart rate analysis apps. A U.S. District Court initially granted summary judgment in Apple’s favor in 2024, dismissing the case. AliveCor appealed, leading to today’s Ninth Circuit decision. Key Points from the Appeals Court Ruling The three-judge panel affirmed the dismissal but on alternate grounds. Writing for the court, Judge Michelle Friedland emphasized that Apple’s actions constituted a “lawful refusal to deal” with a competitor. Under established antitrust precedent, companies generally have no obligation to share proprietary technology or continue aiding rivals, absent specific exceptions that AliveCor failed to prove.The court stated: “Because AliveCor has not done so here, AliveCor’s Section 2 claims fail as a matter of law.” This outcome aligns with broader legal principles protecting a company’s right to innovate and modify its own products, even if it disadvantages competitors. Broader Context: Patent Disputes Resolved in Apple’s Favor Today’s antitrust ruling follows Apple’s earlier success in a parallel patent infringement case against AliveCor. In March 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the invalidation of AliveCor’s key heart monitoring patents by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). That decision eliminated any threat of an Apple Watch import ban sought through the International Trade Commission (ITC).With both the patent and antitrust fronts now closed in Apple’s favor, the multi-year legal saga appears concluded, barring any potential appeal by AliveCor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Reactions and Implications Apple has consistently maintained that its watchOS updates improved accuracy and user safety, not suppressed competition. In response to prior rulings, the company stated: “At Apple, our teams are constantly innovating to create products and services that empower users with health, wellness, and life-saving features… today’s outcome confirms that is not anticompetitive.” AliveCor has not yet issued a public statement on the latest appeals decision, but the company has previously expressed disappointment in similar setbacks and vowed to explore further legal options. The case highlights ongoing tensions in the wearable health tech space, where Apple’s dominant position in smartwatches intersects with innovation from smaller players. Legal experts note that the Ninth Circuit’s emphasis on the “refusal to deal” doctrine reinforces protections for platform owners to evolve their ecosystems without mandatory sharing of improvements. This victory bolsters Apple’s ability to advance health features in future Apple Watch models, potentially accelerating developments in cardiac monitoring and other wellness tools that have become hallmark selling points for the device. MacDailyNews Take: Victory! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple defeats AliveCor’s Apple Watch heart rate antitrust suit on appeal appeared first on MacDailyNews. Invite your friends and earn rewardsIf you enjoy MacDailyNews, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe.
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Thursday, January 8, 2026
Apple defeats AliveCor’s Apple Watch heart rate antitrust suit on appeal
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