Apple Watch import ban temporarily lifted by appeals court
Nickie Louise
Posted On December 27, 2023
Apple secured a win in the legal battle over a blood oxygen sensor patent on Wednesday after a U.S. appeals court temporarily lifted the import ban imposed by a government commission on certain Apple smartwatches due to a patent dispute with medical technology firm Masimo.
The tech giant urgently requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to put a pause on the order, challenging the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) decision that Apple had violated Masimo’s patents.
The origin of the conflict dates back to October when the ITC ruled against Apple, stating that it had infringed on two patents owned by Masimo related to the blood oxygen sensor technology in its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models. Consequently, an import ban was imposed on these watches in the U.S.
Masimo accused Apple of luring away its employees, misappropriating its pulse oximetry technology, and integrating it into Apple Watches. The ITC’s decision led to restrictions on the import and sale of Apple Watches equipped with blood-oxygen level reading technology.
Apple, known for incorporating a pulse oximeter feature in its smartwatches since the Series 6 model in 2020, halted sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the U.S. However, these watches remained available through other retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, the ban doesn’t impact the Apple Watch SE, a more affordable model lacking a pulse oximeter. Previously sold watches are also unaffected by the import ban. A jury trial in California federal court on Masimo’s allegations against Apple resulted in a mistrial in May. Meanwhile, Apple has countersued Masimo for patent infringement in a federal court in Delaware, characterizing Masimo’s legal actions as a strategic move to pave the way for its competing smartwatch.
According to a recent company report, Apple’s wearables, home, and accessory business, inclusive of the Apple Watch, AirPods earbuds, and other products, generated $8.28 billion in revenue during the third quarter of 2023.
