After a federal appeals court temporarily blocked a sweeping import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 amid a dispute with the Biden administration, the tech company has announced that the most advanced Apple Watch models will be back on sale. The news comes following a development in the controversy surrounding the devices that were banned after health tech companies Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories accused Apple of infringing on their patent for blood-oxygen tracking technology.
According to the latest announcement from Apple, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are now available at U.S. stores and can be purchased online starting Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. The devices’ blood oxygen feature is still included, ensuring that consumers can access the full range of health-tracking capabilities in the advanced models.
The disruption in sales and imports occurred after a complaint filed by Masimo in 2021, which led to an order from the US International Trade Commission (ITC) on October 26th. The order resulted in the ban on sales and imports of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US. However, a federal appeals court decision has temporarily lifted the ban, allowing for the resumption of sales, with wider availability expected by this Saturday.
Following the court’s decision, Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg informed The Verge that physical Apple stores will once again have the latest Apple Watches available for purchase. Additionally, online sales are scheduled to resume by 3 p.m. ET on the following day. This development signifies a significant shift following the ban that resulted from the US International Trade Commission finding Apple in violation of patents from the medical device maker Masimo.
The dispute and subsequent import ban have marked a significant challenge for Apple in the wearable technology segment. As the controversy continues to evolve, it is clear that both the tech company and the medical device makers are engaging in legal battles over intellectual property rights and patents related to health-tracking technology. The temporary lifting of the ban offers a reprieve for Apple and provides opportunity for consumers to once again access the latest and most advanced Apple Watch models.
Consumers and technology enthusiasts can now look forward to the renewed availability of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US, as the dispute undergoes further legal proceedings. The developments in this case serve as a reminder of the intersection between innovation, intellectual property, and the competitive landscape within the tech industry, particularly in the rapidly expanding wearable technology sector.
