In an unexpected turn of events, Apple has decided to suspend the direct sale of two Apple Watch models in the United States. This decision comes as a result of an ongoing patent dispute regarding the health features of the watch, which has led to a ruling by the International Trade Commission effectively prohibiting their sale in the country.
For a limited time, Apple will not be offering the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in its physical stores. The online sales of these models will also be discontinued on December 24th. However, external retailers will still be able to sell their existing inventory until it runs out.
The patent dispute revolves around Apple’s desire to incorporate technology into their watches that allows for the testing of blood oxygen levels. According to the accusation, Apple had been using this technology without obtaining the proper permission from Masimo, a company that holds the patent. As a result, Masimo filed a complaint against Apple, accusing them of patent infringement.
The International Trade Commission, a U.S. government agency responsible for resolving disputes related to international trade, found evidence supporting Masimo’s claims. Consequently, the Commission ruled that Apple had indeed infringed on Masimo’s patent. As a result, the affected Apple Watch models were expected to be banned from sale. However, as a preventive measure, Apple voluntarily decided to remove these models from their stores.
This unexpected turn of events has surprised technology experts like Omar Gallaga, who note that the dispute between Apple and Masimo has been ongoing for almost a decade. It is unclear how this case will ultimately be resolved, but for now, Apple customers will have to explore alternative options if they are interested in purchasing the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 models.
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The source of the article is from the blog dk1250.com