Apple Faces Sales Ban on Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 as U.S. Trade Tribunal Rejects Delay Request
In a setback for tech giant Apple, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has denied the company’s request to postpone the ban on the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. This decision comes in response to the ITC’s October ruling that the SpO2 sensors in these watches infringe on patents held by medical device maker Masimo.
Apple’s initial response to the ruling was a swift announcement of plans to remove the affected smartwatches from store shelves. The ban not only affects sales but also restricts out-of-warranty repairs for numerous Apple Watch models in the U.S., adding to the woes of Apple enthusiasts.
The ongoing patent dispute has led to a temporary halt in sales, impacting customers seeking non-warranty repairs for Apple Watch Series 6 and later models. Apple has communicated to customer service staff that such repairs will remain unavailable during the ban, excluding devices covered under warranty or AppleCare Plus.
Despite Apple’s efforts to address the situation through a software update, Masimo insists that the infringement issue extends to hardware, necessitating more substantial modifications. The ban took effect on December 26, prompting Apple to stop selling the affected watches on its website and in retail locations.
Apple’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC, signals the company’s strong disagreement with the ITC’s decision. The appeal process is expected to extend the final verdict by approximately a year, as experts speculate on the potential outcomes of this high-stakes legal battle.
While Apple remains resilient, working on both legal avenues and a software update to resolve the patent dispute, the ban’s impact on sales and repairs has implications for Apple Watch users and the broader wearables market. As the case unfolds, industry observers closely monitor the dynamic developments between Apple and Masimo.