Apple is close to facing a ban on selling its latest models of Apple Watch in the United States. The decision was made by the U.S. International Trade Commission, which concluded that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 infringe on patents registered by another company. In response, Apple has already removed these models from its online store, and it is expected that they will also be unavailable in physical stores.
The decision was made in October after the International Trade Commission found that Apple had infringed on Masimo’s patented pulse oximetry device. This patent is crucial as it is based on light technology that accurately reads the level of blood oxygen saturation. This feature was heavily promoted by Apple as a life-saving one, as it allows for precise measurement of wrist blood oxygen saturation. The potential ban on selling new Apple Watch models could harm the company’s reputation as a leader in the smartwatch market.
Apple has expressed its dissatisfaction with this decision and stated that it will seek legal and technological solutions to ensure the availability of its watches for customers. One potential solution that Apple may pursue is to make changes to the software that modify the way the watch interacts with the pulse oximeter, thereby avoiding patent infringement. However, there is no guarantee that the International Trade Commission will accept such a solution.
The clash between Apple and Masimo is not new, as the two companies have been involved in patent disputes since 2022. Masimo’s CEO, Joe Kiani, claims that Apple intentionally infringed on his company’s patents. However, Apple has already had interventions from the U.S. President in the past. President Barack Obama vetoed the International Trade Commission’s decision in 2013 that banned the sale of older iPhone and iPad models due to patent infringements against Samsung.
Considering the approaching Christmas holidays, it does not seem likely that President Joe Biden will reverse this decision. This situation poses a significant challenge for Apple, which will have to find a solution to continue offering its latest watch models to customers in the U.S. market.
FAQ:
1. Which models of Apple Watch are affected by the ban?
Answer: The ban applies to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models.
2. Which patents does Apple infringe upon?
Answer: Apple infringes upon patents related to the pulse oximetry device, which are patented by Masimo.
3. How does Apple plan to respond to this sales ban?
Answer: Apple plans to seek legal and technological solutions to avoid patent infringement. One solution may involve modifying the software to change the way the watch interacts with the pulse oximeter.
Source:
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