Apple has reportedly found a way to bypass the import ban on its newer Apple Watch models. The complainant, Masimo, alleges that Apple stole its pulse oximetry technology and hired its employees to develop the feature in its smartwatches. Apple’s proposed redesign removes the pulse oximetry feature, allowing the company to continue selling the watches in the US market. The US court is still deliberating on the ban.
The US International Trade Commission has refused Apple’s request to halt the ban on sales of the company’s smartwatches, after ruling that Apple had infringed the patents of tech company Masimo. However, Apple won a victory in court and was able to pause the commission’s ban. The lower-priced Apple Watch SE remains unaffected.
Apple Stores in the United States have resumed sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 after a week-long pause. The two models had faced a ban over a disputed blood oxygen feature, but Apple appealed against the ruling and has been granted permission to temporarily sell the watches.
A U.S. appeals court has temporarily halted an import ban on Apple Watches following a ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that found the devices infringed on Masimo’s pulse oximetry patents. The ban was imposed after President Joe Biden’s administration did not veto the ITC’s order. Apple has appealed the ban to the U.S. Court of Appeals. This decision allows Apple to continue selling the infringing Apple Watches while the appeals process continues.
