Apple Appeals US Trade Tribunal's Import Ban on Apple Watch, Despite Biden Administration's Approval

27 Dec, 2023

Apple Appeals US Trade Tribunal's Import Ban on Apple Watch, Despite Biden Administration's Approval

Apple initiated an appeal on Tuesday against the decision to prohibit the importation of Apple Watches. The ban stems from a complaint filed by medical monitoring technology company Masimo. Despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration choosing not to override the government tribunal's decision, Apple seeks recourse through an appeal.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is set to implement the order on December 26, preventing the import and sale of Apple Watches incorporating patent-infringing technology for monitoring blood-oxygen levels. This technology was introduced in Apple's smartwatches, commencing with the Series 6 model in 2020.

Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative, opted not to reverse the ban after careful deliberation, making the ITC's ruling final as of December 26, as confirmed by the Trade Representative's office.

Apple expressed strong disagreement with the USITC's decision, emphasizing their efforts to swiftly restore the availability of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to U.S. customers.

In response, Apple has lodged an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington. Despite Apple's appeal, the ITC declined their request to suspend the ban during the appeal process.

Masimo representatives have not yet provided comments regarding the ongoing situation.

The ban has prompted Apple to pause sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the U.S., although these models remain purchasable through various retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Notably, the ban does not impact the sale of the Apple Watch SE, a lower-priced model. Previous sales of watches are also unaffected by the ban.

Masimo has accused Apple of various actions, including hiring away its employees and incorporating pulse oximetry technology into the Apple Watch. Legal disputes between the two companies have transpired in federal courts, leading to intricate patent infringement allegations.

The current scenario echoes past disputes, highlighting the complexity of intellectual property battles in the tech industry. This ongoing legal saga between Apple and Masimo poses a significant challenge for both companies amid their technological advancements and business strategies.