Apple resumes Watch sales as US appeals court lifts import ban

WEB DESK: In a significant development on Wednesday, Apple secured a legal victory as a US appeals court temporarily halted a government commission’s import ban on certain Apple smartwatches.

This move comes in the midst of a patent dispute with medical-technology firm Masimo.

The tech giant urgently petitioned the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to suspend the order, challenging the US International Trade Commission’s (ITC) decision that it had violated Masimo’s patents.

Both Apple and Masimo representatives have not provided immediate comments on the matter.

On December 26, the Biden administration opted not to veto the ban, allowing it to go into effect. Apple, however, swiftly sought a pause on the ban later that same day.

Masimo has levelled accusations against Apple, alleging the recruitment of its employees, theft of its pulse oximetry technology, and its subsequent integration into Apple Watches.

The ITC’s ruling barred the import and sale of Apple Watches featuring technology for blood-oxygen level readings.

Notably, Apple introduced a pulse oximeter feature in its smartwatches, starting with the Series 6 model in 2020.

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Consequently, Apple has halted the sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the US. However, these watches remain available through other retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart.

Importantly, the ban does not impact the Apple Watch SE, a more affordable model without a pulse oximeter, and previously sold watches are not affected.

A jury trial in California federal court concerning Masimo’s allegations against Apple resulted in a mistrial in May.

Additionally, Apple has filed a separate lawsuit against Masimo for patent infringement in federal court in Delaware, characterising Masimo’s legal actions as a strategic move to pave the way for its own competing smartwatch.

Apple’s wearables, home, and accessory business, encompassing the Apple Watch, AirPods earbuds, and other products, generated $8.28 billion in revenue during the third quarter of 2023, as outlined in a company report.