Apple has announced that it will be appealing the recent ban on the sales of its newest smartwatches in the United States. The ban, which came into effect this week, was imposed by the US International Trade Commission (USITC) following a patent dispute with device maker Masimo.
Despite Apple’s efforts, the White House has declined to overturn the ban, prompting the tech giant to take further action. The USITC took this action to protect Masimo, which has accused Apple of both poaching its staff and infringing upon its patented technology.
Apple has expressed its strong disagreement with the ruling and has been proactive in removing the affected devices from its US site and stores. However, sales in other regions remain unaffected.
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The USITC’s order, issued in October, underwent a 60-day review period by the president, who had the authority to veto the decision.
This review period concluded on Christmas Day, and the office of the United States Trade Representative Ambassador, Katherine Tai, announced on Tuesday that they would not reverse the USITC’s decision after careful consultations.
Apple had requested a stay on the ban until Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could assess whether the redesigned versions of its watches, which no longer include the disputed technology, violated Masimo’s patents. The CBP is expected to make a decision on January 12th, according to an Apple spokesperson.
In October, the USITC determined that Apple had infringed upon two patents owned by Masimo Corporation, a medical device maker. Masimo had accused Apple of poaching key staff and engaging in other actions to steal its technology for measuring oxygen levels in the blood.
Most versions of Apple’s smartwatches have included the disputed blood oxygen feature since 2020, except the lower-cost SE model. The ban does not affect previously sold watches. Apple has also filed an emergency request with the US Court of Appeals to lift the ban.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the company expressed its strong disagreement with the USITC’s decision and exclusion order, emphasizing its commitment to taking all necessary measures to ensure the prompt return of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US.
Masimo, on the other hand, views the White House’s decision as a significant moment. A company spokesperson stated that this outcome is a victory for the integrity of the US patent system and, ultimately, American consumers who will benefit from an ecosystem that rewards genuine innovation.
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