Apple Halts Sales of Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 Worldwide Amidst Spo2 Feature Dispute
In a surprising turn of events, Apple has decided to stop selling its Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models worldwide due to an ongoing dispute with medical tech company Masimo. While the sales suspension only affects these specific models, Apple is contesting the decision made by the International Trade Commission (ITC).
Sales Suspension and Impact
Apple initially launched the Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 worldwide in September, allowing customers to purchase these highly anticipated devices. However, due to the legal battle over the Spo2 feature, Apple has decided to halt sales of these models. Online sales of the Apple Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will cease on December 21, while offline sales will end on December 24.
It’s important to note that this sales suspension only applies to the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions, and does not impact other Apple Watch models, such as the Apple Watch SE, which do not feature the disputed technology. Analysts suggest that while this temporary ban may not significantly impact Apple’s Christmas sales in the U.S., it could potentially affect sales during slower months like January and February.
The Dispute and Legal Proceedings
The dispute between Apple and Masimo stems from a lawsuit filed by Masimo against Apple in October. Masimo, a medical tech startup, claimed that Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches infringed upon its patents related to blood oxygen functionality. The ITC ruled in favor of Masimo, stating that Apple’s watches violated their patents, thereby prohibiting Apple from selling these watches in the U.S.
Apple has contested the ITC ruling and plans to appeal to the Federal Circuit. President Joe Biden had until December 25 to review the ITC decision, but Apple anticipated that the ruling would stand and announced the discontinuation of sales for the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches in the U.S. on December 21 and December 24 for online and offline sales, respectively.
Efforts to Resolve the Dispute
Despite the legal battle, there have been reports that Apple is actively working to resolve the dispute and resume sales of the affected smartwatch models. Engineers at Apple have been adjusting the oxygen saturation data techniques to align with the contested patents. Additionally, store displays of the banned Series 9 and Ultra 2 models have been modified, and Apple is considering sending updated watches to U.S. customs for examination and approval.
Both Apple and Masimo have expressed their willingness to negotiate. Masimo emphasizes the importance of protecting U.S. intellectual property rights, while Apple firmly believes that the ITC ruling was incorrect. The outcome of this dispute will have implications not only on Apple’s sales but also on its market position and financial success, as wearables like the Apple Watch contribute significantly to the company’s revenue.
As this legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how previous administrations have handled similar import rulings and how crucial Apple’s wearable products are to its overall market position and financial performance.
