The introduction of a recent court decision regarding patent infringement has resulted in a ban on the import of certain models of Apple smartwatches into the United States. The decision was made by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and went into effect on Tuesday after the Biden administration chose not to veto the decision.
The ITC decision, made in October, specifically concerns Apple Watch models that utilize patented technology for measuring blood oxygen levels. Medical device manufacturer Masimo Corp filed a complaint accusing Apple of infringing on their “light-based pulse oximetry functionality” technology.
In response to the ban, Apple has temporarily halted the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models in the US. The ban affected online sales starting from December 21 and retail store sales from December 24, just before the holiday season.
Although Apple strongly disagrees with the ITC decision, they are taking steps to comply with the ban and intend to make the affected smartwatches available to customers in the US as soon as possible. The company argues that Masimo’s allegations are an attempt to hinder access to a potentially life-saving Apple product.
While the US President has the power to overturn the import ban, it is a rare occurrence. Apple is known for continuously improving the health and fitness features of its smartwatches, making them a dominant force in the industry.
It’s worth noting that Apple previously filed patent infringement lawsuits against Masimo when the tech giant brought two cases against the medical device manufacturer at the end of 2022. Masimo was recently granted exemption by US regulators to use their own wrist-worn device both by prescription and over-the-counter.
The imposition of the import ban reflects the ongoing legal disputes between Apple and Masimo. While Apple seeks to invalidate the decision, they remain committed to delivering innovative and advanced smartwatches to their customers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Question: Which Apple smartwatch models are affected by the import ban in the US?
Answer: The ban applies to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models.
Question: How long will the import ban last?
Answer: Currently, there is no information about a specific duration for the import ban. Apple is taking steps to restore availability of the banned smartwatches as quickly as possible.
Definitions:
International Trade Commission (ITC) – An independent agency of the United States responsible for conducting investigations in the field of international trade.
Oximetry – A technique for measuring the concentration of oxygen in the blood.
The source of the article is from the blog cheap-sound.com