Summary: The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued an import ban and sales restriction on certain models of Apple Watch starting from December 26. The decision comes after a complaint filed by Masimo, a company specializing in medical monitoring technology, accusing Apple of patent infringement related to blood oxygen level monitoring. The ban only applies to Apple Watch models that have a pulse oximeter module, starting from the Series 6 model. The Biden administration, through U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, has declined to veto the decision, making the ITC’s decision final. Apple has the option to appeal the ban to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The company has already halted sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States, but the ban will not affect the Apple Watch SE, which is a cheaper model.
According to Masimo, Apple allegedly hired its employees, stole the pulse oximetry technology, and incorporated it into its widely popular Apple Watch. Although the legal process in relation to these allegations resulted in the invalidation of the verdict, Apple filed a countersuit against Masimo in a federal court in Delaware, accusing them of patent infringement.
This decision marks the first time in many years that a presidential administration did not veto an ITC decision. The last time this happened was in 2013 when the Obama administration invalidated an import ban on Apple products in a patent dispute with Samsung.
This is not the first time Apple has faced import bans on its smartwatches. In February, another import ban on Apple Watches based on a complaint of patent infringement by the technology company AliveCor was halted by the ITC for different reasons.
It is worth noting that Apple’s business related to wearable devices, home, and accessories, including Apple Watch, AirPods, and other products, generated $8.28 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2023, according to the company’s report.
FAQ
Which Apple Watch models will be affected by the ban?
The ban applies to Apple Watch models that have a pulse oximeter function, starting from the Series 6 model.
Does this decision apply to the Apple Watch SE?
No, the ban does not apply to the cheaper Apple Watch SE model.
Does Apple have the option to appeal the ban?
Yes, Apple has the option to appeal the ban to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Definitions
Pulse oximeter
A medical device used to measure blood oxygen level and pulse rate.
Patent infringement
The violation of rights to inventions covered by a patent, including the production, sale, or use of a patented invention without the permission of the patent holder.
Mistrial
The interruption of a court trial without a final verdict due to procedural errors that may affect the fairness of the trial.
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The source of the article is from the blog guambia.com.uy