In a surprising turn of events, Apple recently faced a setback as a patent infringement case led to a ban on the sale of its two latest Apple Watch models, the Series 9 and Ultra 2. This blog delves into the details surrounding the ban, the reasons behind it, and the current status of Apple's appeal.
The ban, imposed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), was the result of a patent infringement case filed by medical device maker Masimo. The ITC ruled in October that Apple had infringed on Masimo's patents related to pulse oximetry technology. Consequently, an import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 was set to take effect on December 26th.
To address the ban, Apple took proactive measures, freezing sales on its website from December 21st. The watches also vanished from physical Apple Store shelves before the official ban date. Despite Apple's appeal to overturn the ruling, the ban temporarily halted sales, creating uncertainty around the availability of these popular Apple Watch models.
President Joe Biden's administration declined to veto the ban, leading to the ban officially taking effect on December 26th. However, on December 27th, a federal appeals court temporarily paused the ban, allowing Apple to resume sales both in its stores and online.
Following the court's decision, Apple swiftly resumed sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. The watches are once again available in some physical Apple stores, with wider availability expected in the coming days. Online sales, which were frozen as part of Apple's initial response to the ban, are set to resume.
While Apple is back in business for now, the dispute with Masimo continues. The technology giant is working on finding a solution to avoid a permanent ban, emphasizing the importance of resolving patent disputes promptly. The outcome of this case may set a precedent for how tech companies navigate patent-related challenges in the future.
As Apple navigates the complexities of the legal landscape, users and enthusiasts eagerly await the resolution of this case, hoping for the uninterrupted availability of these cutting-edge wearable devices. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
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