The Biden administration has made the decision not to veto the ban on specific Apple Watch imports into the United States, allowing the ban to be enforced. This move comes after a legal dispute between Apple and medical technology company Masimo regarding the blood oxygen feature on Apple Watch devices.
Masimo filed a lawsuit against Apple in January at the International Trade Commission (ITC), claiming patent infringement related to the light-based technology used to measure blood oxygen levels. On October 26, the ITC upheld the ruling in favor of Masimo, resulting in the ban on certain Apple Watch models.
Previously, Apple faced a mistrial in a federal court in 2020 when Masimo sued them. In response, Apple counter-sued Masimo, alleging that the company had copied its technology. The case is still ongoing.
The Biden administration had the option to veto the import ban within a 60-day period. However, on Tuesday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives announced that it would not intervene, thus allowing the ban to take effect.
Apple now has the opportunity to appeal the decision, and the company has expressed its intention to do so. In a statement, Apple emphasized its disagreement with the order and its commitment to ensuring that Apple Watch products reach customers as soon as possible.
Importantly, the ban currently only affects the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models. The Apple Watch SE and other models with the blood oxygen feature, including those already purchased, are not subject to the ban.
This case draws attention to the complex nature of patent disputes in the technology industry. As Apple continues to navigate this legal battle, consumers will be closely watching for a speedy resolution that allows for the availability of Apple Watch products in the market.
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The source of the article is from the blog elperiodicodearanjuez.es