The United States has imposed an import ban on certain models of the Apple Watch, following a ruling on patent infringements that took effect on Tuesday. This decision comes after the Biden administration chose not to override the ruling issued by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) in October. The ban specifically targets Apple Watch models that incorporate patented technology for detecting blood oxygen levels.
Apple had previously appealed against the ITC ruling, contending that it was erroneous and should be overturned. However, in a surprising turn of events, the tech giant halted the US sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 last week, complying with the import ban.
The origins of this ban can be traced back to a complaint filed with the commission in mid-2021, accusing Apple of infringing on the “light-based oximetry functionality” patented by medical device manufacturer Masimo Corp. Following careful deliberations, Ambassador Katherine Tai announced the decision not to reverse the ITC’s determination, ultimately solidifying the ban, as confirmed by the President’s executive office in a statement on Tuesday.
Apple has continuously enhanced the fitness and health capabilities of its Apple Watch with each iteration, solidifying its position as a leader in the smartwatch category. In September, the company launched the Apple Watch Series 9, highlighting improved performance and advanced features for accessing and tracking health data.
