Apple has suspended sales of its flagship Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States due to an ITC ruling. The ruling stems from a patent dispute with Masimo, specifically related to Apple’s blood oxygen sensor technology. The ITC ruled in October that Apple had infringed on two of Masimo’s patents, leading to a 60-day Presidential Review Period set to expire on December 25. Apple is taking preemptive measures to comply, temporarily halting sales starting December 21 online and December 24 in physical stores.
The lower-end Apple Watch SE remains unaffected. Apple is exploring legal and technical avenues to reverse the decision and plans to return affected watches to customers if the ban persists.
Table of Contents
The ITC Ruling and Presidential Review Period
The ITC decided in October that Apple had encroached on two of Masimo’s patents, prompting a 60-day Presidential Review Period set to terminate on December 25. While President Biden has the choice to reject the ruling, Apple is taking pre planned measures to agree, briefly stopping sales starting December 21 on the web and December 24 in physical stores.
Impact on Apple and Consumers
The ban, if maintained, affects just the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models because of their blood oxygen observing capabilities. The lower-end Apple Watch SE remains unaffected. Nonetheless, the end in sales applies just to Apple; the devices can still be purchased through different outlets until the ban on imports takes effect after December 25.
Apple’s Response and Legal Options
Apple expressed strong disagreement with the ruling, featuring its obligation to provide health, wellness, and safety features. The organisation is investigating legal and technical avenues to reverse the decision. Assuming the ban persists, Apple plans to take swift measures to return the impacted watches to customers.
The dispute among Apple and Masimo centres on allegations that Apple’s blood oxygen sensor technology infringes on Masimo’s patents. Masimo filed a lawsuit in 2020, prompting an ITC case in 2021. Apple contends that Masimo’s legal actions are an endeavour to boost its own smartwatch product, against which Apple documented patent infringement lawsuits in 2022.
The Future Outlook
As of now, it remains unsure how long the Series 9 and Ultra 2 will be inaccessible for purchase. Apple plans to record an allure on December 26, yet this won’t defer the ban. The ITC’s decision could impact Apple’s wearables business, which produced $13.48 billion in revenue in Q1 2023.
Global Implications
While the ongoing ban just affects the US, the repercussions could expand globally. Apple’s wearable business has a significant impact on the more extensive supply chain economy. The situation underscores the perplexing intersection of technology, intellectual property disputes, and the more extensive implications for the two companies and consumers.
