Federal Appeals Court Rules Apple Can’t Sell Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in US Due to Patent Dispute

In a recent legal battle between tech giant Apple and health tech company Masimo, a federal appeals court ruled that Apple cannot continue selling its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US with the blood oxygen feature due to a patent dispute. This decision comes after a US judge previously ruled that Apple had infringed on Masimo patents related to the technology used in Apple’s blood oxygen sensing system.

The US International Trade Commission had issued an order prohibiting Apple from importing the Series 9 and Ultra 2, which was finalized after US Trade Representative Katherine Tai decided not to reverse the decision. Apple received a temporary win in December when an Appeals Court paused the ban, allowing them to resume selling the devices. However, Apple has since halted sales of the affected watches and is pursuing legal and technical options to ensure they can continue providing consumers with these products.

The Apple Watch is a significant product for Apple, with wearables being one of its top-selling categories. The company has stated that they strongly disagree with the ITC’s decision and are working to resolve the issue. The affected watches are still available through retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and Target, but sales through Apple have been halted.

Apple is awaiting a decision from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and is working on a proposed redesign to address the patent infringement issue. In the meantime, consumers looking for alternatives to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 can consider options like the Apple Watch SE or other smartwatches that offer similar features.

Overall, the legal battle between Apple and Masimo highlights the complexities of intellectual property disputes in the tech industry and the impact it can have on consumers. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing legal saga.