Apple Fights Back: Import Ban on Some Apple Watches Challenged in Court

Apple is locked in a legal battle over its popular Apple Watch. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued an import ban on some Apple Watch models following a patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo. However, Apple is not going down without a fight.

What's the Dispute About?

Masimo claims Apple infringed on its patents related to blood oxygen monitoring technology used in some Apple Watches. The ITC agreed with Masimo and issued a ban on importing certain Apple Watch models with the disputed technology.

Apple's Appeal

Apple is challenging the ITC's decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. They argue that Masimo's patents are invalid and that their watches do not infringe on them. Additionally, Apple claims the banned feature was removed from the currently sold models, rendering the import ban irrelevant.

A Temporary Victory and a Setback

Apple initially won a temporary pause on the import ban, allowing them to resume sales of the affected watches. Unfortunately, the appeals court later reinstated the ban, forcing Apple to remove the blood oxygen monitoring functionality from watches sold during the appeal process.

Awaiting a Final Decision

The appeals process could take at least a year. Meanwhile, US Customs and Border Protection has determined that redesigned Apple Watch models without the disputed feature can be imported. This is a small win for Apple, but the overall import ban remains in effect for older models with the blood oxygen monitoring capability.

What This Means for Consumers

The current situation creates some uncertainty for consumers. The import ban on older Apple Watch models with blood oxygen monitoring remains in place. However, newer models without the disputed feature are not affected.

Stay Updated

The legal battle between Apple and Masimo is ongoing. Keep an eye on tech news for updates on the final court decision and its impact on Apple Watch availability.