By Gloria Ogbonna
Apple announced its intention to contest a US prohibition imposed on its latest smartwatch models after the Biden administration opted against vetoing a decision regarding patent infringements.
Effective from Tuesday, the ban restricts sales of Apple's latest smartwatch models, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, both in physical stores and online.
This ban marks the latest legal clash among prominent tech giants over valuable patents and echoes the ongoing legal skirmishes involving Google and Sonos in a dispute over speaker technology.
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) had ruled in October to bar the Apple Watch models due to patent infringement concerning technology for detecting blood-oxygen levels.
The ruling originated from a complaint filed by medical device maker Masimo Corp in mid-2021, alleging Apple's infringement on "light-based oximetry functionality."
The US Trade Representative's office confirmed Ambassador Katherine Tai's decision not to reverse the determination, solidifying the USITC's ruling as final on December 26, 2023, stating that import bans are rarely reversed by the President's office.
In response, Masimo hailed the upheld ban as a validation of the integrity of the US patent system, asserting benefits for American consumers by supporting true innovation.
Challenging the USITC's decision, Apple filed an appeal in a US federal court, despite removing the products from its online store on December 21 and halting retail sales on December 24, just before the holidays.
The majority of Apple's products are manufactured overseas, mainly in China, granting the International Trade Commission jurisdiction over this matter.
Apple has been enhancing fitness and health features in its Apple Watch series, which has been dominant in the smartwatch category.
Expressing strong dissent, Apple vowed to take necessary measures to swiftly reintroduce the affected smartwatches to US customers while vehemently disagreeing with the USITC's decision and the resulting exclusion order.
Amidst accusations and legal battles, the conflict continues between Apple and Masimo over alleged patent infringement, showcasing the intense rivalry and legal intricacies within the tech industry.
Punch
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