Court Upholds Ban on Apple Watch Imports Over Patent Dispute

Apple has removed the blood oxygenation feature from its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 amid an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit with medical technology company Masimo. The feature, which measures blood oxygen levels, is no longer listed on Apple's website or the devices' specifications. While no hardware changes have been made, the functionality has been disabled via software. The legal dispute has also led to a federal appeals court upholding a decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that prevents the import of Apple Watch models with this technology into the United States while Apple appeals the ITC's initial ban.

In the meantime, Masimo has launched its own smartwatch, the Freedom, featuring health tracking capabilities, notifications, and a design distinct from the Apple Watch. The company has stressed that its focus is on the accuracy of its medical-grade sensor, not on direct competition with Apple. It is yet to be determined if the Freedom watch will receive FDA clearance.

As the legal battle unfolds, Apple has continued to sell Apple Watch models without the contested blood oxygen feature, which were found by Customs and Border Protection to be exempt from the import ban. The temporary reprieve from the import ban was set to expire, potentially affecting future models including the anticipated Apple Watch Series 10. While Apple has counter-sued Masimo for patent infringement, the ongoing litigation and resulting product adjustments highlight the complex interplay between innovation, intellectual property, and competition in the tech industry.