In a significant blow to tech giant Apple, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has rejected the company’s bid to delay the ban on sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The ban stems from an October ruling stating that the watches’ SpO2 sensors infringe on patents owned by medical device maker Masimo.
Apple, which initially planned to remove the affected models from shelves, faced further setbacks as the ITC denied their request to suspend the ban while awaiting an appeal. This decision not only impacts Apple’s sales but also restricts out-of-warranty repairs for several Apple Watch models in the U.S.
The ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo has created a ripple effect, affecting customer options for non-warranty repairs. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that out-of-warranty hardware repairs and full device replacements for Apple Watch Series 6 and later models are currently unavailable during the ban. However, devices under warranty or covered by AppleCare Plus are exempt from this limitation.
The ban, which went into effect on December 26, has prompted Apple to halt sales on its website and in retail stores. The company had hoped for intervention from the Biden administration, but the ban remained in place, impacting devices that utilize blood oxygen level sensing technology.
While Apple “strongly disagrees” with the decision, it has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC. Industry experts anticipate that the appeal process may extend the case for approximately another year, leaving the fate of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 sales hanging in the balance.
Amidst the legal tussle, Apple is concurrently working on a software update aimed at addressing Masimo’s patent concerns. However, Masimo asserts that the issue is hardware-related, requiring more comprehensive modifications. As the tech giant fights to overturn the ban, the outcome will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of future patent disputes in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Source: Reuters