In a recent legal twist, Apple has received a temporary reprieve in the ongoing patent dispute with health tech company Masimo. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has intervened, temporarily pausing an import ban that prevented Apple from selling its latest wearables, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, in its own stores across the United States. The court’s decision, articulated in a filing on Wednesday, marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle centered around how the Apple Watch detects blood oxygen levels.
This development stems from a prior ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which imposed a ban on the sale of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, affirming a judge’s decision from January that found Apple in violation of Masimo’s patents. Although President Joe Biden had an opportunity to overturn the ban during a presidential review, that window closed on December 25. The ban was finalized on December 26 after US Trade Representative Katherine Tai chose not to reverse the ITC’s ruling.
Apple, however, is not conceding defeat. The tech giant has lodged an appeal in the case and is diligently working on a software update for US Customs to evaluate. The government is expected to render a decision on January 12, determining whether Apple’s modifications are sufficient to lift the ban.
To mitigate the impact of the ban, Apple took preemptive measures by ceasing sales of the affected Apple Watch models on its online stores from December 21 and at its physical stores from December 24. However, customers can still acquire the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 through third-party retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart, at least until supplies last.
