Apple Watches back on sale after emergency appeal
Apple again can sell the newest versions of Apple Watches after a late appeal temporarily blocked the U.S. International Trade Commission’s import ban.
On Tuesday, Apple appealed the ITC‘s October ruling, which prevented importation of the tech giant’s latest watches. The commission then halted the ban Wednesday, opening the way for sales.
In its Tuesday appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the company said the import ban would jar the company and expects to make changes to the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 in the coming days. U.S. Customs authorities would then review them.
The company removed the affected models from its online and physical stores before Monday. After President Biden declined to overrule the ITC‘s ruling Monday, many expected an Apple Watch shortage to follow. However, the new court ruling states that the ITC cannot enforce its ban until Apple‘s appeal has been considered.
In October, the ITC ruled that Apple violated federal law by including patented blood-oxygen reading technology in many Apple Watch products. Masimo, the company that holds the blood-oxygen patent, claimed that Apple intentionally used the technology without properly compensating the health care firm.
