United States Import Ban on Apple Watch Takes Effect

A United States import ban on certain Apple smartwatch models has taken effect after the Joe Biden administration opted not to veto a ruling on patent infringements.

The United States International Trade Commission had decided in October to ban Apple Watch models over a patented technology for detecting blood-oxygen levels.

The order came from a complaint made to the commission in mid-2021 accusing Apple of infringing on medical device maker company Masimo Corp’s “light-based oximetry functionality.”

Apple had argued that the ruling was in error and should be reversed, but last week paused its sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US.

And in a further blow to Apple’s smartwatches, the United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai decided “not to reverse the determination of the ITC, with the decision becoming final on December 26, 2023”.