A US import ban on select Apple smartwatch models has taken effect, following the Biden administration’s decision not to intervene in a ruling on patent infringements by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC).
The ITC had previously decided in October to ban certain Apple Watch models due to a patented technology related to the detection of blood-oxygen levels.
Apple, disputing the ITC’s finding and seeking a reversal, temporarily halted the sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US last week. The ban originated from a complaint filed in mid-2021, alleging that Apple infringed on the “light-based oximetry functionality” patented by medical device maker Masimo Corp.
Despite Apple’s assertion that the ITC decision is erroneous, the ban has implications for the tech giant, which has been emphasising health and fitness features in its Apple Watch series. The Apple Watch dominates the smartwatch category, and in September, Apple released the Apple Watch Series 9 with enhanced performance and additional health-tracking capabilities.
In response to the ban, Apple expressed its commitment to providing users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features. Apple accused Masimo of attempting to hinder a potentially life-saving product from millions of US consumers while promoting their own watch, which Apple claims copies its technology.
The legal battle between Apple and Masimo includes a mistrial in May, where jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on Masimo’s allegations. Apple escalated the dispute by filing two patent infringement lawsuits against Masimo late last year, accusing the company of copying Apple Watch technology.
