In a recent ruling, the International Trade Commission (ITC) of the United States upheld the ban on the import and sale of Apple Watches that utilize technology infringing on patents for blood oxygen level reading. The ITC ruling will go into effect on December 26th and will apply to Apple Watches with a pulse oximeter function.
The decision by the ITC has been supported by the Biden administration, as U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has decided not to veto the ban. This is the first case since 2013 that a presidential administration has not overturned an ITC ruling. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative stated that the decision was made after careful consultations.
Apple has announced that they will appeal the ban to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington. However, the ITC has rejected Apple’s request to suspend the ban during the appeal. As a result, Apple has temporarily halted the sale of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States. These watches are still available through other retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
It is worth noting that the ban does not apply to the Apple Watch SE, a cheaper model that will continue to be sold. Additionally, previously sold watches are not covered by the ban.
The ban stems from a complaint filed by medical monitoring technology company Masimo, which accused Apple of incorporating its pulse oximetry technology into the Apple Watch. Masimo claims that Apple recruited its employees and stole its technology. A trial regarding these allegations ended without a verdict, and Apple has countersued Masimo for patent infringement.
The Apple Watch has become a significant part of Apple’s business, with its wearables, home, and accessories division generating $8.28 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2023. Despite the ban, Apple is consistently pushing forward with its smartwatch lineup and will continue to seek to invalidate the decision through legal means.
FAQ:
Q: What is the reason for the ban on the import and sale of certain models of Apple Watch in the United States?
A: The ban is due to the infringement of patents by Masimo, a company that accused Apple of using its pulse oximetry technology.
Q: Does the ban apply to all models of Apple Watch?
A: No, the ban only applies to Apple Watch models with a pulse oximeter function. The Apple Watch SE is not affected by the ban.
Definitions:
1. International Trade Commission (ITC) – part of the U.S. government responsible for resolving trade disputes, including patent disputes.
2. Pulse Oximeter – a medical device used to measure blood oxygen saturation.
Sources: Removed.
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