Apple to Suspend Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US Due to ITC Ban
In a surprising turn of events, Apple has announced that it will suspend the sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States. The decision comes as a result of a ban imposed by the International Trade Commission (ITC), following a patent dispute related to the wearables’ blood oxygen sensor.
Starting from December 21, Apple will halt sales of the affected watches on its official website. Retail locations will continue to sell the devices until Christmas Eve, after which they will join the suspension. The company has taken this step to comply with the Presidential Review Period established for the ITC’s ruling.
However, it’s not all bad news for Apple Watch enthusiasts. The Apple Watch SE, which does not feature a blood oxygen sensor, will remain available for purchase. Additionally, those who have already purchased an Apple Watch with the blood oxygen feature will not be affected by the ban.
The ITC’s order prohibits all imports of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 into the US beginning December 25. While some may be concerned about the impact on other retailers, such as Amazon and Best Buy, they are currently allowed to continue selling the devices.
Apple has expressed its intention to lodge an appeal with the Federal Circuit and may even issue software updates to nullify any alleged patent infringements. The US Trade Representative will also review the ITC’s order and has the option to approve or disapprove of it.
Unsurprisingly, Apple strongly disagrees with the ITC’s ban and is exploring all legal and technical options to ensure the availability of its popular smartwatches. Apple claims that Masimo, the medical tech company that sued them, has released its own smartwatch that is essentially a knockoff of the Apple Watch. In response, Apple filed patent infringement suits against Masimo in October 2022, asserting that the company copied features from their iconic smartwatch.
As this saga unfolds, Apple is determined to fight for the rights to its innovative wearable technology. Customers and fans of the Apple Watch can expect the company to exhaust all avenues to bring back the suspended models to the US market.
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