Apple Takes a Step Back, Announces Halt On Sales For Some Apple Watches In The US; Here’s Why

Apple has decided to temporarily halt the sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States this month due to an ongoing legal dispute with health tech company Masimo. The last day for customers to purchase or receive these smartwatches from Apple Stores will be on December 24, Christmas Eve.

Why this ban?

The sales restriction results from a recent ruling from the International Trade Commission (ITC) in connection with Apple’s patent disagreement with Masimo. Masimo, a company known for producing medical-grade equipment, including pulse oximeters for measuring blood oxygen levels, has accused Apple of infringing on its blood oxygen sensing technology.

In an unprecedented development, Apple will halt Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales in 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 brief, Apple is facing allegations of patent infringement by the medical technology company Masimo. A decade ago, the two companies had discussions about potential collaboration. Still, Masimo now asserts that the meeting served as a means for Apple to identify features and personnel it wanted to acquire. Before the launch of the initial Apple Watch, Apple hired several employees from Masimo. Subsequently, Apple introduced the blood oxygen sensor, the focal point of the current controversy, which was a technology originally developed by Masimo.

Although sales have been paused in the United States, both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Series 9 remain available for purchase in other countries. Customers in regions such as India and the United Kingdom are still able to buy these smartwatches.

Here’s what Apple said

Following the ITC ruling, Apple is currently in a “presidential review period.” Despite disagreeing with the order, Apple is actively exploring legal and technical avenues to maintain the availability of the Apple Watch for customers. Sales on Apple.com will pause starting December 21, and in Apple retail locations after December 24. If the ruling remains unaltered and there is no intervention from the Biden administration, Apple intends to take all required measures to swiftly make both watches accessible to U.S. customers.

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