Apple recently announced that it will abide by the law and stop selling the Apple Watch due to an ongoing patent dispute with Masimo. Now, the company has been granted a temporary relief thanks to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Apple can resume selling the Apple Watch with oxygen sensors until further notice in the United States.
Apple granted temporary relief with Apple Watch ban until January 10
The latest relief is the answer to Apple's emergency request to the United States Court of Appeals, filed yesterday. The company asked the ITC to pause the ban until a further determination can be made in January 2024. Note that the company has already stopped selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. Apple also asked the Biden administration to intervene and veto the ban, but unfortunately, it did not go through.
The temporary win for Apple will give it a few days to sort out the patent infringement with Masimo and devise an appropriate strategy to tackle the situation. The company will also be able to glide through the holiday season with potential Apple Watch sales. It was previously reported that users have started reselling their Apple Watch models at more than $1,000 per unit.
Apple is doing everything possible to avoid the ban and continue selling the Apple Watch. The latest relief will give Apple time until January 10. Until then, the company has also submitted a software update, likely fixing the patent infringement with Masimo. Nonetheless, it will still depend on the government if it sees fit to remove the ban on selling and importing Apple Watch models. The decision can be expected to arrive by January 12.
Apple has also requested a full stay on the case, and the ITC now has time until January 10 to respond to the situation. Masimo accused Apple of hiring its former employees, which led to its claims of stealing the technology. Seemingly, Apple is working to avoid a permanent ban on selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The company could also work out a solution with Masimo in the long run if both companies see fit.
However, these are mere speculations as the final word rests with Apple. We will share more details on the subject as soon as further information is available. Do you think Apple will reach a mutual decision with Masimo before January 12? Let us know in the comments.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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