Earlier this week, Apple announced that it would stop selling two Apple Watch models — the Series 9 and the Ultra 2 — starting this Thursday, December 21 online and on Sunday, December 23 in stores across the U.S. The company will however, still sell its older models. According to the International Trade Commission filing, Apple recently lost the bid to delay the impending Apple Watch import ban. Now, only the White House could intervene last minute to prevent the pause in sales of some of the devices in the U.S.
The move to ban Apple’s latest watches is due to an order issued by the ITC in October that found the tech giant’s oxygen sensor had infringed on IPs from medical technology company that sells to hospitals, Masimo. Earlier this week, ITC denied Apple’s motion to stay while the original decision was appealed, which would then allow the brand to continue selling the device.
The ban will prevent Apple from selling one of its most lucrative products in the largest market and during the busiest shopping time of the year. Apple Watches previously imported are still allowed to be sold if retailers have them in stock. President Joe Biden is still able to veto the ban, however, the White House has not given any indication that he will. In the infringement claims, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani accuses Apple of engaging in acquisition and partnership talks, only to later poach his techinical staff. He told CNBC, “I don’t care that much about the Apple leadership, given about what I know about how they run the company. I still extended the olive branch and offered to work with them for the betterment of people and our shareholders, and not even a call.”
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