Apple to Halt Sales of 2 Smartwatches Amid Patent Dispute
Apple is set to halt sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States due to an ongoing patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The dispute revolves around Masimo’s pulse oximeter patent, specifically its light-based technology for reading blood-oxygen levels. The US International Trade Commission ruled in October that Apple infringed on Masimo’s patent, potentially leading to a ban within 60 days if President Biden upholds the decision. In response, Apple plans to stop selling the affected watches preemptively, expressing disagreement with the ruling and exploring legal and technical options.
The impact on sales is being closely watched, with Apple having sold 49 million smartwatches in 2022 and 26.7 million in the first 9 months of 2023. While the decision may not significantly affect Apple’s overall business, analysts suggest that maintaining sales until December 24 could mitigate the financial impact in the short term. Apple emphasizes its commitment to returning the affected watches to customers promptly if the ban becomes effective. The dispute reflects a broader, longstanding conflict between Apple and Masimo, with potential repercussions for healthcare, scientific research, and Apple Watch users relying on health-related features.
#AppleWatch #PatentDispute #TechNews #HealthTech #Smartwatch