In a significant setback for tech giant Apple, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has rejected the company’s plea to postpone the ban on the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The ban, initiated in October following a patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo, has compelled Apple to pull these smartwatches from shelves.
Apple’s announcement on Monday detailed its compliance with the ITC ruling, removing the affected models from both online and retail outlets. The dispute centers on Masimo’s patents related to the SpO2 sensors integrated into Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, Ultra, and Ultra 2.
Beyond sales restrictions, the ban disrupts out-of-warranty repairs for several Apple Watch models in the U.S. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple has informed customer service staff of the unavailability of hardware repairs and full device replacements for Apple Watch Series 6 and later (excluding SE) during the ban period. Warranty-covered devices remain unaffected.
The halt in sales and repairs has left Apple Watch enthusiasts grappling with limitations. Masimo contends that the patent infringement is not only software-related, prompting Apple to work on a software update while facing the need for potential hardware modifications.
Despite Apple’s appeal filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., the ban, implemented on December 26, stands firm. Apple expressed strong disagreement with the decision, emphasizing ongoing efforts to overturn the ban and resume sales.
The Biden administration, which could have vetoed the ITC’s decision, chose not to intervene. Analysts predict a prolonged legal battle, with experts estimating that Apple’s appeal might extend the ITC’s final verdict by approximately another year. The dispute underscores the complexities surrounding intellectual property clashes in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
