In a significant turn of events, Apple announced on Wednesday the immediate resumption of in-store sales for its latest smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, in the United States. This decision follows a brief hiatus in sales due to an ongoing patent dispute that led to a temporary import ban on these models. The tech giant expressed its enthusiasm in a statement, stating, “We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year.” As of Thursday, both the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are once again available for purchase on Apple’s official website.
The reinstatement of sales comes in the wake of a US appeals court temporarily lifting the import ban while it evaluates Apple’s request for a suspension during the patent dispute’s legal proceedings. Apple anticipates the appeals court to consider its motion for a stay as early as January 15. The dispute originated from a legal battle with health tech company Masimo, revolving around the blood oxygen detection feature in these watches.
Earlier this week, Apple was compelled to halt sales and imports of these watches, a significant revenue stream, due to the ongoing legal clash. Apple swiftly filed an emergency appeal, citing the potential “irreparable harm” the ban could inflict. The International Trade Commission had imposed the ban, prompting Apple to proactively pause both online and in-store sales.
Despite the setback, Apple remains resilient, actively pursuing legal and technical avenues to ensure the continued availability of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Among these efforts is the submission of a proposed redesign for approval by US Customs, showcasing the company’s commitment to overcoming challenges and delivering cutting-edge smartwatches to its customers.
