Apple Wins: No Import Ban on New Apple Watch in the US After ITC Ruling

Apple has avoided a repeat ban on importing its smartwatches into the US after a new decision by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The regulator found that the updated Apple Watch models with modified blood oxygen level measurement features do not infringe on Masimo's patents.

What is Known

The commission closed the case, referring to a previous administrative judge's conclusion from March, which also found no violations in the redesigned technology. This means that the import ban will not be reinstated, and Apple can continue to sell its devices in the US market.

The patent dispute between the companies has been ongoing since 2021 when Masimo filed the initial complaint with the ITC, seeking to ban the import of Apple Watches. Previously, the commission partially supported the claims, leading to temporary restrictions and forcing Apple to revise the oxygen measurement feature in new watch models.

Following the new decision, Masimo may challenge it at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Meanwhile, in November, a federal jury court in a separate case ordered that Apple must pay $634 million for another Masimo patent infringement.

Source: Reuters