Apple has resumed sales of its newest smartwatches in the United States, following a federal appeals court’s temporary reversal of an earlier ban on their import and sale. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 were temporarily paused for sale in Apple stores and at retail locations after the company lost a patent case in October that resulted in a ruling against the watches. However, on Thursday, the watches became available for purchase online and in some Apple stores as the legal battle continues.
The case against Apple before the U.S. International Trade Commission centers around technology used in some Apple watches to detect a wearer’s pulse rate by measuring oxygen levels in the blood. The commission ruled in October that the watches were infringing on patents held by two medical technology companies, Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories, and ordered Apple to stop selling the affected models after Christmas. The Biden administration declined to reverse the ruling, making it final. However, a federal appeals court granted Apple’s request to pause enforcement of the ruling, giving hope for the watches’ continued sales, service, and repairs.
The ban on the affected Apple watches applied only to sales in the United States and did not affect international sales, while a proposed redesign of the watches submitted to United States customs authorities may play a part in the outcome of the legal battle.
As the legal fight continues, it remains uncertain whether the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will have a long-term presence in the market. The outcome of the legal battle will ultimately determine the future of these watches, as well as their impact on similar models using the same pulse-monitoring technology.
It’s important to note that the ban did not apply to the Apple Watch SE, and the ruling pertained to specific models of the watches, not currently sold at Apple stores or on the company’s website.
In summary, the legal battle surrounding the sale of Apple’s newest smartwatches is ongoing, with the watches now available for purchase following the reversal of the ban. However, their long-term availability and future impact remain uncertain pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
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