In a legal victory, Apple secures a court-ordered reprieve, swiftly resuming sales of its latest Apple Watch models after a federal appeals court temporarily blocks an import ban amid an ongoing patent dispute. The decision allows Apple to continue offering its cutting-edge smartwatches while navigating the legal challenge.
Apple is set to resume the sale of its cutting-edge Apple Watch models in stores, following a temporary halt imposed by a federal appeals court on a comprehensive import ban related to an ongoing patent dispute. The court intervention allows Apple to reintroduce the affected smartwatches for purchase on its website starting Thursday at noon Pacific Time.
In a statement, Apple confirmed that it will offer the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year. This move comes after an emergency appeal motion was filed on Tuesday in response to a recent ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC order, which went into effect earlier this week, prohibited the importation of certain Apple Watch models, including the Series 9 and Ultra 2, to the United States due to patent violations claimed by another company.
Despite a deadline until the end of Christmas day for the Biden White House to overturn the ban, the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, stated on Tuesday that the White House would not intervene. However, the federal appeals court’s temporary block on the ITC order provides relief to Apple, enabling US Customs to evaluate the company’s redesign of the disputed Apple Watch models. The redesign, expected to be completed by January 12, prompted Apple’s argument that maintaining the ban during the appeal process could result in irreparable harm.
Previously, Apple had removed the affected Watch models from its online store, and Apple Store locations opened without the latest top-of-the-line watches in stock. The ban specifically impacted the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, as well as all models of the Apple Watch Ultra, while the Apple Watch SE remained unaffected.
Expressing gratitude for the court’s intervention, Apple emphasized its commitment to developing technology with advanced health, wellness, and safety features. The company announced that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 would gradually become available for purchase in select US stores starting Wednesday, with wider availability expected in the coming days.
In October, the US International Trade Commission ruled against Apple, citing a violation of a pulse oximeter patent owned by medical device maker Masimo. Notably, the ban was on imports rather than sales, allowing third-party stores to continue selling the restricted Apple Watch models. With the recent emergency stay, Apple has secured a provisional reprieve, enabling the continued sale of its top-tier smartwatches as the legal challenge unfolds. The Federal Circuit’s order instructs the ITC not to enforce the ban “until further notice while the court considers the motion for a stay pending appeal.”
