Apple was forced to withdraw the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from its US stores this week in adherence to an International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling related to a patent dispute with Masimo, a medical technology company.
The ruling prohibits Apple from marketing the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 on its website after 3 pm ET (4 am MYT, 22 December) on 21 December and in physical stores from 24 December, according to 9to5Mac.
The decision centres around Apple’s utilisation of Masimo’s technology in the SpO2 (blood oxygen) sensor of the two watches. According to Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg, the company “strongly disagrees” with the order and is actively exploring legal and technical avenues to retain the availability of both devices in stores.
Masimo initiated legal action against Apple, filing cases with both the US District Court and the ITC. The final decision now rests with US President Joe Biden, who must choose whether to uphold or veto the ban, a rare occurrence.
Notably, President Biden has previously upheld an ITC ruling against the Apple Watch concerning the EKG feature, although in 2013, then-President Barack Obama vetoed an ITC import ban on the iPhone 4.
The ruling does not impact previously sold units, which will continue to function properly and receive full technical support. Additionally, existing stock with Apple partners such as BestBuy and Amazon is exempt from the ban, but Apple won’t be able to replenish supplies after 25 December.
It’s important to note that the ban exclusively pertains to the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 in the US; earlier models and those outside the US remain unaffected.
Apple is rushing to get the watches back on shelves as soon as possible
Bloomberg reports that Apple is actively planning ways to salvage its USD17 billion (RM79.2 billion) business through a comprehensive plan that involves software adjustments and exploring alternative solutions.
The company’s engineers are in a fast-paced race to implement alterations to the algorithms embedded in the device, specifically those responsible for measuring a user’s blood oxygen level.
Apple’s efforts include refining how the technology calculates oxygen saturation and delivers the corresponding data to users.
