Immediately, Apple has been formally banned from promoting its newest Apple Watch fashions – Apple Watch Collection 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 within the US after the Biden authorities refused to veto the ban. For the uninitiated, Apple has been caught up in a patent fiasco with the medical firm Masimo for infringing upon patents of blood oxygen monitoring sensors.
Apple Watch Gross sales Ban: What has Occurred So Far?
Apple and Masimo have been embroiled in a patent struggle since 2020. In early 2020, Masimo filed a lawsuit within the US District Court docket within the Central District of California alleging that Apple has infringed upon its patents associated to blood oxygen monitoring.
In 2021, Masimo once more filed a proper grievance with the Worldwide Commerce Fee after receiving an unsatisfactory response to the lawsuit filed in 2020. Out of the 103 patents for which Masimo complained, ITC discovered Apple responsible of infringing upon 2 patents.
In October 2023, ITC dominated that it will look ahead to the Presidential Assessment earlier than making the ban official. As a pre-emptive measure, Apple took down the gross sales of Apple Watch Collection 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 from its on-line web site and official brick-and-mortar shops final week.
Earlier at present, the Presidential Assessment was introduced and the Biden administration refused to overturn the ban. Thus, making the Apple Watch gross sales ban official.
“After cautious consultations, Ambassador Katherine Tai determined to not reverse the ITC’s dedication and the ITC’s determination turned closing on December 26, 2023.” – Biden Administration
Apple Maintains Stance
In the meantime, in a press release to 9to5Mac, Apple has expressed that it strongly disagrees with the Apple Watch gross sales ban and can make efforts to renew Apple Watch gross sales within the U.S.
“We strongly disagree with the USITC determination and ensuing exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Collection 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 to prospects within the U.S. as quickly as attainable.” – Apple
Plainly Apple will now discover potentialities to show off the blood oxygen monitoring characteristic by way of a software program replace and this could enable the corporate to promote the banned Apple Watches within the nation.
Alternatively, Masimo has already mentioned that it is able to negotiate with Apple. if the Cupertino big had been to simply accept this route, it must shell out a number of million {dollars}.
Can I Nonetheless Purchase an Apple Watch within the U.S.?
In case you are planning to purchase the newest Apple Watch Collection 9 or Apple Watch Extremely 2 within the vacation season, you possibly can nonetheless get one at third-party retailers like Greatest Purchase, Amazon, and Walmart. Notably, Apple has solely banned the gross sales of the aforementioned two fashions by way of its official channels, you possibly can nonetheless buy the Apple Watch SE from the official Apple web site or retailer.
