Suspected patent infringement led to a ban on the sale of Apple smartwatches across the Atlantic. On Wednesday evening Finnish time, the sale could be continued at least for the time being. In the rest of the world, sales have continued as normal all along.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 have been banned from sale in the United States. Adobe Stock
Apple is accused of patent infringement related to the technology that measures the blood oxygen content of its latest smartwatches. According to Masimo from California, Apple is using its patented solutions without permission.
The US International Trade Commission ITC imposed an import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in October, but at Christmas the sale of the devices in question was also banned.
President Joe Biden the administration could have used its veto to overturn the sales ban that threatened Apple’s smartwatches, but this was not done, and sales of Apple Watches were temporarily stopped at the beginning of the week.
However, the sales ban did not last long, as it was already lifted on Wednesday evening Finnish time. the BBC according to Apple got its “emergency petition” through in the appeals court and was allowed to continue selling its devices until the court has dealt with the suspected patent infringements in more detail.
The ITC can still ban the sale of the devices again, but at least for the time being, sales may continue.
The sales ban did not apply to retailers
The ban was in effect for a while in Apple’s online store and in the company’s own brick-and-mortar stores. Instead, retailers have been allowed to sell products in their warehouses.
The bans related to Masimo’s alleged patent infringements did not or will not apply to the cheaper SE model, because it lacks technology that measures blood oxygen concentration.
Apple previously suggested that it would resolve the patent dispute with a software update. According to Masimo, this is not enough because the violation concerns the physical properties of the device.