Apple has determined to briefly halt the gross sales of its Apple Watch Collection 9 and Extremely 2 smartwatches in the US this month as a result of an ongoing authorized dispute with well being tech firm Masimo. The final day for purchasers to buy or obtain these smartwatches from Apple Shops will likely be on December 24, Christmas Eve.
Why this ban?
The gross sales restriction outcomes from a latest ruling from the Worldwide Commerce Fee (ITC) in reference to Apple’s patent disagreement with Masimo. Masimo, an organization identified for producing medical-grade gear, together with pulse oximeters for measuring blood oxygen ranges, has accused Apple of infringing on its blood oxygen sensing expertise.
In an unprecedented improvement, Apple will halt Apple Watch Collection 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 gross sales within the US after an ITC ruling about Apple violating Masimo blood oxygen patents was not reversed. https://t.co/aZdctHaK3J
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 18, 2023
In short, Apple is dealing with allegations of patent infringement by the medical expertise firm Masimo. A decade in the past, the 2 corporations had discussions about potential collaboration. Nonetheless, Masimo now asserts that the assembly served as a way for Apple to establish options and personnel it needed to amass. Earlier than the launch of the preliminary Apple Watch, Apple employed a number of workers from Masimo. Subsequently, Apple launched the blood oxygen sensor, the point of interest of the present controversy, which was a expertise initially developed by Masimo.
Though gross sales have been paused in the US, each the Apple Watch Extremely 2 and the Collection 9 stay out there for buy in different international locations. Clients in areas similar to India and the UK are nonetheless capable of purchase these smartwatches.
Right here’s what Apple stated
Following the ITC ruling, Apple is at present in a “presidential review period.” Regardless of disagreeing with the order, Apple is actively exploring authorized and technical avenues to keep up the provision of the Apple Watch for purchasers. Gross sales on Apple.com will pause beginning December 21, and in Apple retail places after December 24. If the ruling stays unaltered and there’s no intervention from the Biden administration, Apple intends to take all required measures to swiftly make each watches accessible to U.S. prospects.
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