Apple To Appeal US Watch Ban
In a move to challenge a US import ban on its latest smartwatch models, Apple announced on December 26 that it will appeal the decision after the Biden administration decided not to veto a ruling on patent infringements.
The ban, effective immediately, impacts the availability of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in both stores and online platforms.
This legal dispute adds to the ongoing battles among major tech companies over valuable patents, reminiscent of Google’s courtroom clash against Sonos over speaker technology.
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) initiated the ban in October, citing a patented technology related to blood-oxygen level detection in Apple Watch models. The decision resulted from a complaint by medical device maker Masimo Corp in mid-2021, accusing Apple of infringing on “light-based oximetry functionality.
The US Trade Representative’s office confirmed the finalization of the ITC’s decision on December 26, 2023, after Ambassador Katherine Tai opted not to reverse the determination.
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Masimo welcomed the confirmed ban, stating it’s a victory for the integrity of the US patent system and for American consumers who benefit from innovation.
Apple, however, disputes the ITC’s finding, filing an appeal in a US federal court. Despite the appeal, Apple removed the affected products from its online store on December 21, with retail sales ceasing on December 24, just before the holiday season.
Given that Apple predominantly manufactures its products overseas, particularly in China, the International Trade Commission has jurisdiction over the matter.
Masimo claims it invented the technology and alleges that Apple recruited its employees to gain access to this knowledge.
Apple’s Strong Response: Disagreement and Measures
Apple, a leader in the smartwatch category, continuously enhances fitness and health features with each Apple Watch generation. In September, the company introduced the Apple Watch Series 9, emphasizing improved performance and advanced health data accessibility and logging capabilities.
Expressing strong disagreement with the USITC decision, Apple is taking steps to swiftly return the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to US customers. The company, in a previous statement, accused Masimo of attempting to use the ITC to hinder the availability of a potentially lifesaving product to US consumers while promoting its own watch allegedly inspired by Apple’s design.
Earlier in May, a trial regarding Masimo’s allegations resulted in a mistrial as jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Apple contends that Masimo is leveraging litigation to pave the way for its own products inspired by Apple Watch technology.
In November, US regulators granted Masimo approval for the use of its own wrist-worn product for both prescription and over-the-counter purposes.
Towards the end of last year, Apple retaliated with two patent infringement lawsuits against Masimo, alleging the copying of Apple Watch technology.
As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of the import ban on Apple’s latest smartwatch models reverberate through the tech industry. The appeal filed by Apple and the staunch defense from Masimo set the stage for a complex and protracted legal saga, shedding light on the fierce competition and disputes within the realm of cutting-edge technology.
In this fast-evolving landscape, the resolution of such conflicts not only shapes the future of these tech giants but also influences the direction of innovation in the broader market.
