Apple has made the surprising decision to suspend the sale of its latest watch models, the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, in its stores in the United States. This decision is a result of the import ban imposed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) due to a patent dispute with medical device manufacturer, Masimo. Both watches have been removed not only from the Apple online store but also from the physical stores. This means that when Apple stores reopen after the Christmas holidays, customers will not be able to purchase the latest flagship smartwatches.
Instead, Apple stores will promote the Watch SE model, which is still available for purchase as it does not feature the controversial blood oxygen sensor that infringes on Masimo’s patents.
Although there is a possibility that President Biden may choose to intervene and reject the ITC’s decision before the end of the Presidential Review Period on December 25th, Apple is not taking any chances. The company has stated that it will take all necessary actions to restore the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible.
To challenge the final ITC decision, Apple will file an appeal with the Federal Circuit Court on December 26th.
The patent dispute between Apple and Masimo revolves around the blood oxygen sensor technology used in the Apple Watch. Despite this setback, Apple is determined to resolve this issue and bring its latest smartwatches back to the market.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how this patent dispute will impact the future of wearable technology and innovation in the industry.
FAQ:
Question: How were Apple watches affected by the ban?
Answer: Apple watches were subject to the ban based on the decision of the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in relation to the patent dispute with Masimo.
Question: What role does the blood oxygen sensor play in Apple watches?
Answer: The blood oxygen sensor is one of the features offered by Apple Watch, which monitors the user’s blood oxygen content.
Definitions:
ITC (International Trade Commission): A US government agency responsible for regulating international trade.
Patent: A right protecting inventions or other innovative technical solutions from unauthorized use by other entities.
Blood Oxygen Sensor: A sensor that measures the user’s blood oxygen content.
Source: example.com
The source of the article is from the blog revistatenerife.com