Due to a recent development, the sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be halted again in the United States starting at 5 PM tomorrow, January 18. This decision comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied Apple’s request to pause the sales ban throughout its appeal of an ITC decision.
Background on the Patent Dispute
The current issue stems from a patent dispute between Apple and medical tech company Masimo. The ITC had previously found that Apple’s blood oxygen feature infringes on patents owned by Masimo. As a result, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ordered the halt of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales in the United States.
Apple’s Appeal and Request to Pause Sales Ban
Apple had filed an appeal with the ITC, arguing that its blood oxygen feature does not infringe on Masimo’s patents. In addition, Apple requested that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit pause the sales ban throughout its appeal. However, the court denied this request earlier today.
Reasons for Denying Apple’s Request
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit cited several factors in denying Apple’s request to pause the sales ban. These include:
- The likelihood of success on the merits
- Irreparable harm to Apple if the stay is denied
- The balance between competing interests
While this denial does not reflect on the merits of Apple’s appeal, it indicates that the court has considered various factors and determined that a pause in the sales ban is not warranted at this time.
Alternative Route for Apple: Software Update
In addition to its appeal, Apple may consider another route to avoid the halt in sales. U.S. Customs has stated that it will consider a software update that disables Apple Watch blood oxygen sensing features. This would effectively put the devices beyond the scope of the ITC ban.
Impact on Sales and Consumer Expectations
The current situation is reminiscent of previous events, where Apple Watch sales were halted and later resumed in under a month. The uncertainty surrounding the sales of these popular smartwatches may impact consumer expectations and purchasing decisions.
Next Steps for Apple
Apple’s appeal will continue despite the denial of its request to pause the sales ban. It is unclear how this decision will affect the outcome of the appeal, but it is likely that the company will continue to pursue its case against Masimo.
As we wait for the next developments in this story, consumers can expect another halt in Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales starting at 5 PM tomorrow. This uncertainty may impact consumer expectations and purchasing decisions.
