The patent dispute forced Apple to abruptly stop selling its last two smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Sales on the company’s website were frozen on December 21, and the watches were scheduled to disappear from retail stores after December 24. This was in response to an import ban issued by the US International Trade Commission, which found in October that Apple had infringed patents on pulse oximetry technology from medical device maker Masimo.
This means Apple can no longer import and sell its latest Apple Watch models in the US, at least temporarily. The company is already trying to find a solution to avoid the ban, but it may take some time.
After December 21, you won’t be able to buy Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 on Apple’s website or in retail stores. The reason is that the company decided to comply in advance with an import ban due to a patent dispute with medical device manufacturer Masimo over its SpO2 sensor. The ban only affects the flagship Series 9 and Ultra 2 models. Since the Apple Watch SE does not have an SpO2 sensor, it is not subject to the restrictions. Previous generations of Apple Watch with a blood oxygen sensor are also unaffected. The International Trade Commission ban only applies to US sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2.
Apple said it “strongly disagrees” with the decision and is considering “a range of legal and technical options” to ensure Apple Watch remains available to customers. The company plans to make changes to the software for measuring and displaying blood oxygen levels, and will also file a request to overturn the ban in the appeal court.
