Apple is ceasing the sale of its Apple Watch in the US following a patent infringement lawsuit. Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will be prohibited online starting on December 21 and from Apple retail locations after December 24.
This move comes in
response to an October order from the International Trade Commission (ITC),
potentially leading to a ban on Apple importing its Apple Watches after the
devices were found to violate medical technology company Masimo's patent
rights.
The ruling dictates that Apple
must halt the sale of its watches just before Christmas, with the exception of
the SE model. Apple expressed strong disagreement with the order and is
actively pursuing various legal and technical options to ensure continued
availability of the Apple Watch for customers, according to a statement provided
to The Wall Street Journal.
At the core of the lawsuit is
Apple's implementation of technology for measuring blood oxygen levels on
demand. This feature was introduced in Apple's smartwatches in 2020 through the
incorporation of a pulse oximeter. The legal action originated in 2021 when
Masimo filed a complaint, asserting that Apple unlawfully utilized its medical
innovation for the Apple Watches.
The ITC issued a cease and
desist order to Apple in October as part of its ongoing investigation, a
decision that was later upheld. Masimo's Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Joe Kiani,
commented on the ruling, stating that it sends a powerful message that even the
world's largest company is not above the law. He sees the determination as a
strong validation of their efforts to hold Apple accountable for unlawfully
misappropriating their patented technology.
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