Apple stops sales of new smartwatches in the USA
According to a US trade authority, Apple is infringing the patent of a competing technology company with its new smartwatches. As a review period expires in a week, the company has already decided to withdraw two models from the market.
Apple will suspend sales of the new models of its computer watch in the USA after losing a patent case. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will no longer be sold on the company's US website from December 21 and will not be sold in US stores after December 24. Apple announced that this was a precautionary measure in view of a review period that expires in a week's time.
The medical technology company Masimo accuses Apple of using its patented technology for measuring the oxygen content in the blood in its watches without a license. Masimo prevailed in October in proceedings before the US trade authority ITC, which banned the import of the affected Apple Watch models into the USA. US President Joe Biden still has until December 25 to overturn the ITC's decision with his veto.
Apple is now taking precautions in the event that the import ban remains in place. Apple also reiterated that it does not agree with the ITC's decision and is pursuing various ways to continue making the watches available to consumers. "Apple disagrees with the decision and is pursuing a number of legal and technical options to ensure that the Apple Watch is available to customers," the company said.
However, there are several ways in which Apple could circumvent a ban. Apple could, for example, make changes to the device, preferably to the software, in order to exclude the use of the disputed technology. Apple could also rely on an agreement with Masimo. Among other things, Masimo has accused Apple of poaching employees from Masimo to use the technology in the Apple Watch.
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Apple faces a patent dispute with Masimo over its blood oxygen monitoring technology in Apple Watch models, leading to a potential import ban in the USA. In response, Apple has temporarily halted sales of the affected Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the USA to avoid any potential confusion or legal issues during the review period.
Source: www.ntv.de
