Apple Resumes Smartwatch Sales After Patent Dispute

Apple has won an appeal to resume selling its smartwatches after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit paused an import ban. The ban was issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which ruled that Apple violated patents of Masimo, a medical technology company.

The patent dispute centers on the blood oxygen monitoring technology, with Masimo accusing Apple of stealing its pulse oximetry tech. Apple countersued, suggesting Masimo’s lawsuit was a strategic move for its own smartwatch launch. While the case could cost either company millions, analysts suggest the bad publicity could be more damaging for Apple.

In a ruling on Wednesday, the appeals court stated it would pause the ban while it “considers Apple’s motion for a longer-term pause during the appeals process.” The court’s reprieve allows Apple to resume sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models, which include the disputed technology.

“We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year,” a representative from Apple said in a statement.

However, this pause is temporary, as the ITC has until Jan. 10 to respond to Apple’s request. The issue has raised questions about corporate ethics and technological innovation. Despite the potential financial implications of developing its own blood monitoring software, experts argue that the larger concern for Apple is the accusation of technology theft from competitors, which could impact its public image and future health wearable products.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is deliberating on whether the redesigned versions of Apple’s watches infringe upon Masimo’s patents and if they can be imported. The decision is due on Jan 12. In the meantime, Apple’s less expensive model, the Apple Watch SE, which lacks a pulse oximeter, is not affected by the ban, and sales continue.