Apple Resumes In-Store Sales Of Latest Watches In The U.S After Emergency Appeal

(CTN News) – Apple has resumed the sale of its latest Apple Watches directly through its physical stores.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, initially subject to a sales and import ban in the U.S. due to patent violations with medical device maker Masimo, are now once again available in select Apple stores, with broader availability expected by Saturday.

Online sales are set to recommence tomorrow at 3 PM ET, according to information provided by Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg to The Verge.

Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Halts Apple Watch Sales Ban

This decision to restart sales follows a federal appeals court’s temporary halt on the sales and import ban affecting both Apple Watch models. The U.S. International Trade Commission had previously determined that Apple had infringed upon patents held by Masimo.

The appeals court’s ruling allows Apple to continue selling the watches temporarily, awaiting feedback on proposed modifications aimed at resolving the patent concerns.

A decision from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on these changes is anticipated on January 12th.

In the absence of a favorable ruling, the court is considering whether to postpone the ban until it can fully adjudicate the patent dispute, potentially leading to a months-long delay in the enforcement of the ban.

In an emailed statement, APPL spokesperson Nikki Rothberg expressed satisfaction with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s decision to temporarily halt the exclusion order.

Rothberg emphasized Apple’s dedicated efforts over several years in developing technology that provides users with cutting-edge health, wellness, and safety features.

Court Grants Stay, Allowing Apple to Continue Sales Amidst Import Ban Controversy

The stay allows APPL to continue sales while the court assesses the request to suspend the order pending a comprehensive appeal.

Before the ban took effect on December 26th, APPL  had removed the Series 9 and Ultra 2 from both its online and physical stores.

The ban specifically targeted devices equipped with a blood oxygen saturation sensor, a feature present in Apple’s flagship watches since the Series 6 launched in late 2020. Notably, the lower-priced Apple Watch SE, lacking this particular sensor, remained available for sale.

During the ban period, third-party retailers were permitted to sell existing stock of Apple Watches. However, the import ban would ultimately have restricted their ability to acquire additional units in the future.