In a dramatic turn of events, Apple Watches, including the advanced Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models, have made a comeback to the U.S. market. This development follows a temporary suspension of an import ban by a federal appeals court, overruling a decision that had sparked a legal battle with the Biden administration.
Starting Wednesday, these Apple Watch models are available in stores across the U.S., with online sales kicking off from Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, as confirmed by the tech giant. Notably, the contentious blood oxygen feature remains a part of these devices.
Apple expressed its excitement in a recent statement, saying, “We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year.”
This reinstatement comes on the heels of an announcement by the Biden administration on Tuesday, backing the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) order to ban the sale of these smartwatches. However, Apple’s dedicated efforts to develop health, wellness, and safety technologies have been acknowledged by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which put a hold on the exclusion order while Apple’s appeal is under consideration.
The Root of the Ban
The controversy began when California-based health tech companies, Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories, accused Apple of infringing on their patented blood-oxygen tracking technology. This led to an ITC order on October 26, following Masimo’s complaint in 2021.
Masimo had stated, “The decision to exclude certain foreign-made models of the Apple Watch demonstrates that even the world’s most powerful company must abide by the law.” Concurrently, Apple had filed lawsuits against Masimo, alleging patent infringement by Masimo’s smartwatch.
The Biden Administration’s Stance
The decision by Ambassador Katherine Tai to uphold the ITC ruling came after thorough consultations and a finding that Apple had infringed on the patents of Masimo and Cercacor. Following this, Apple approached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with an emergency request to halt the ban, as reported by Reuters.
Understanding the Blood Oxygen Feature
The Blood Oxygen app, a notable feature of these Apple Watches, is designed to allow users to measure the oxygen levels in their blood directly from their wrist. However, this feature is limited to certain regions and, as per Apple, is not intended for medical use but rather for general fitness and wellness purposes.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Apple Watch enthusiasts can once again purchase these latest models, marking a significant moment in the ongoing saga between tech innovation and patent laws.
