The United States (US) has imposed an import ban on select Apple smartwatch models, effective as of Tuesday.
This decision, rooted in a patent infringement ruling by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), has sent shockwaves through the tech industry.
US President Joe Biden’s administration chose not to overturn the ITC’s decision, allowing the ban to proceed. The ITC had initially prohibited certain Apple Watch models due to patent violations related to the detection of blood oxygen levels. Apple, however, contested the ruling, asserting that the ITC had erred in its findings. Despite the tech giant’s appeal, it recently halted the sales of the contested models – Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 – in the United States.
The ban originated from a complaint filed in mid-2021 by medical device maker Masimo Corp, alleging that Apple infringed on its patented “light-based oximetry functionality.” Ambassador Katherine Tai, after careful consideration, opted not to reverse the ITC’s determination, making the decision final on December 26, 2023.
READ ALSO: Tragedy Strikes on Christmas: Two Brothers Drown at Ibeshe Beach in Lagos
This move poses a significant challenge to Apple, a company that has continually enhanced the health and fitness features of its Apple Watch, dominating the smartwatch category. With the recent release of the Apple Watch Series 9, which boasted improved performance and advanced health data capabilities, the ban marks a setback for Apple’s innovation in health tech.