The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has banned Apple from importing two recent iterations of the Apple Watch. The ban applies to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The dispute is over a hardware patent. The ITC determined in October that Apple violated two Masimo health-technology patents with a blood-oxygen sensor in its watches. President Joe Biden’s US Trade Representative Office did not veto the ITC’s ban by the imposed time limit which was Christmas Day. Therefore, the ban has gone into full effect.
US consumers are not able to purchase the two Apple Watch models in stores or online. Apple says it is working on changes to the watch to avoid the hardware patent violation. The multi-billion-dollar company has also appealed to “stay” the decision so US Customs and Border Control can determine if patents were actually violated.
SOURCES:
Apple to appeal US Watch ban – Tech – Business – Ahram Online
Apple Watch import ban: Here’s what you need to know – YouTube
Apple files appeal after Biden administration allows US ban on watch imports | Reuters
Apple appeals after Biden admin lets Apple Watch import ban stand
Apple is now banned from selling its latest Apple Watches in the US – The Verge
Apple appeals Apple Watch import ban after White House declines to veto | The Hill
Apple is banned from importing or selling its latest Apple Watches – The Washington Post
