Apple removed the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from its US online store due to an impending import ban by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) over a patent dispute with Masimo. The prohibition takes effect on December 26, and Apple is considering legal and technical solutions.
Apple withdrew the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from its US online shop. Due to a patent dispute with medical device company Masimo, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) may block imports.
On December 26, the ITC’s import restriction will take effect, therefore Apple will stop selling both watches in its US stores. Apple’s online shop no longer sells reconditioned Series 7 and Series 8 watches with SpO2 sensors. Special edition Series 9 watches like the Nike and Hermès are affected.
Note that the ban only affects US sales of these Apple Watches. Other nations are unaffected.
It’s unknown how long these Watches will be banned from sale.
ITC rejects Apple bid
The US ITC refused Apple’s request to suspend the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 import and sales restriction due to the Masimo patent dispute on Wednesday. The ITC “denied the respondent’s motion to stay remedial orders pending appeal and/or anticipated government shutdown.”
Apple Watches’ SpO2 sensor technology is at issue in the patent case. The ITC found in October that Apple’s SpO2 sensors infringed Masimo’s patents. Apple is apparently working on software modifications and exploring legal and technical solutions to sell the Apple Watch despite the controversy.
Conclusion
Apple removed the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from its US online store due to an impending import ban by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) over a patent dispute with Masimo. Once the prohibition takes effect on December 26, Apple will stop selling both watches in its US stores. Apple’s online shop no longer sells refurbished Series 7 and Series 8 watches with SpO2 sensors. How long these Watches will be banned and unavailable for purchase is unknown. The ITC refused Apple’s request to suspend the prohibition over SpO2 sensor technology.
