Apple’s newest smartwatches, the Series 9 and Ultra 2, are no longer available for purchase in the US.
A federal appeals court sided with health company Masimo in a patent dispute, putting a temporary block on sales while Apple challenged the ruling.
Masimo claims Apple pilfered its blood-oxygen detection technology and hired key employees to gain access. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) agreed, banning imports of the disputed watches in October. A lower court lifted the ban, but the appeals court reinstated it on Wednesday.
Apple contends the ITC’s decision is wrong and has appealed it. However, a final ruling could take years, leaving the watches in limbo.
To comply with the ban, Apple may temporarily remove the disputed technology from the Series 9 and Ultra 2. Masimo welcomes this move but insists the ban underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property, even for tech giants like Apple.
