Apple Watch US Sales Ban
Apple filed an emergency motion with a U.S. appeals court to pause a ban on importing and selling some of its Apple Watch models.
The company requested a pause until January 12 pending a U.S. customs decision on whether a redesigned version of the devices falls outside the scope of the International Trade Commission’s remedial orders.
The importation and sale of some Apple Watch models was banned effective today after the Biden administration declined to veto a decision by the International Trade Commission.
Apple can still appeal the ban to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the watches can still be sold by third parties
Apple has routinely marketed its smartwatch as a life-saving device, which has helped launch the Apple Watch into the stratosphere, making it the most popular watch sold around the world. But its skirmish with Masimo threatens to undermine that.
In October, the US International Trade Commission ruled that Apple was in violation of Masimo’s pulse oximeter patent, which uses light-based technology to read blood-oxygen levels. President Biden has 60 days to review the ruling before a ban could go into effect.
Apple launched its Series 9 phone in September. It features a custom S9 chip for faster processing and enables hand gestures to control the watch, thanks in part to an enhanced neural engine that processes data from sensors and machine learning.
Apple said it firmly believes the ITC’s findings are inaccurate and should be reversed. It also plans to take the decision to the Federal Circuit.
In addition, Apple said it has submitted evidence demonstrating how a ban would negatively impact healthcare, scientific and medical research, and Apple Watch users who rely on the ECG, blood oxygen and other health-related features.
