HIGHLIGHTS
- Apple will halt online sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from December 21, while retail outlets will no longer have in-store inventory from December 24.
- A patent dispute involving Apple and the blood oxygen functionality is presently ongoing.
- It has been charged with violating the patent of the medical company Masimo.
Due to a patent dispute with the medical technology company Masimo, Apple has decided to pause sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. The blood oxygen sensing function of these gadgets is at issue in this debate. Thus, consumers in the US will not be able to purchase the Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2 through Apple’s physical shops or online. Sales of the two gadgets in foreign nations are unaffected by this.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 orders will no longer be accepted through Apple’s website in the United States starting at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21. Apple retail outlets will no longer have in-store inventory available from December 24.
Why has the US halted sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2?
- According to a report by 9to5Mac it is claimed that Apple has been caught infringing on Masimo’s patents pertaining to the blood oxygen sensor feature. Following this, a ban on the importation of specific Apple Watch models was imposed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).
- However, the manufacturer of iPhones refutes all allegations, stating that it “strongly disagrees” and is figuring out how to get the Apple Watch back on sale.
- US President Joe Biden is currently reviewing the order through December 25. Apple intends to file an appeal of the ITC’s ruling on December 26 if necessary.
- The medical company has been at odds with Masimo since 2020, alleging that the latter stole its trade secrets in order to develop the blood oxygen feature. In 2020, the Apple Watch 6 saw the release of this.
- Apple was found to have violated Masimo’s patent earlier this year in January when the ITC issued a court order requiring Apple Watch users to check their blood-oxygen levels.
- By next week, there should be more information available regarding Apple’s chances of winning this battle and resuming Watch sales in the US.
In unrelated news, one of Apple’s veteran industrial designers, whose work appears on more than 1,000 patents, announced his resignation from the business. Having worked at Apple for nearly 20 years, senior designer Peter Russell-Clarke was involved in the creation of the iMac, iPod Nano, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. Along with creating Apple’s headquarters and retail locations, Russell-Clarke contributed to the designs of multiple iPhone and iPad models.
