Apple Halts Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in US Amid Patent Dispute with Masimo. Apple has made a significant announcement that is sure to capture the attention of the tech community: the suspension of sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. This decision, effective from the end of this week, arises from an ongoing patent dispute with Masimo, a medical technology company, concerning blood oxygen detection technology.
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In a detailed statement to 9to5Mac, Apple disclosed that these particular models of the Apple Watch will be withdrawn from the U.S. online store starting December 21 and from U.S. retail stores beginning December 24. Notably, this suspension is limited to the United States; sales in other countries remain unaffected.
The root of this suspension lies in a recent decision by the International Trade Commission (ITC). In October, the ITC imposed an import ban on certain Apple Watches in the U.S. after finding that Apple had infringed on Masimo’s patents. These patents are centered around non-invasive blood oxygen detection, also known as pulse oximetry, a key health feature of the Apple Watch.
The order from the ITC is currently under a presidential review period, which is set to conclude on December 25. While U.S. President Joe Biden has the authority to review the order, it’s important to note that presidential vetoes of ITC import bans are historically rare.
In anticipation of the possibility that the order might be upheld, Apple has proactively decided to suspend sales of the affected Apple Watch models. This measure reflects the company’s commitment to compliance with legal rulings, despite the impact on its product availability.
Apple’s statement emphasizes the precautionary nature of this decision. While the review period is still ongoing, the company is preparing to comply should the decision be confirmed. This involves the suspension of sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Apple’s website and at retail locations in the U.S.
However, Apple is not taking this decision lightly and has expressed its firm disagreement with the ITC’s order. The company is pursuing a range of legal and technical responses to ensure that the Apple Watch remains available to its U.S. customers.
The impact of this suspension is significant, as it affects two of Apple’s latest and most advanced smartwatch models. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are renowned for their health monitoring capabilities, including blood oxygen sensing, which is at the heart of the dispute with Masimo.
Should the order be upheld, Apple is committed to taking all necessary steps to resume sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States as swiftly as possible. The company’s quick response and readiness to adapt to the evolving legal landscape demonstrate its agility in navigating complex intellectual property challenges.
In conclusion, Apple’s decision to suspend sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States is a proactive response to an ongoing patent dispute. This move underscores the intricate interplay between technology innovation, intellectual property rights, and legal compliance. As the situation unfolds, the tech industry and consumers alike will be closely watching the outcome of the presidential review and Apple’s subsequent actions.