The different functions of an Apple Watch.Unsplash
In the middle of the Christmas campaign, in which these items have been among the most sought-after in recent years, Apple announced this Monday that it would suspend sales of two of its smartwatch models in the United States until a patent dispute is resolved. one of its functions, measuring the oxygen content in the blood. Apple Watch sales account for nearly $20 billion of the company's $383.29 billion in annual revenue. Apple is the world's largest seller of smartwatches, accounting for almost a third of global sales volume.
Starting this Thursday, the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models will no longer be available for purchase on the website and in physical stores in the United States after Christmas Eve. The decision to withdraw, at least temporarily, one of its most popular products is due to a bitter dispute with medical device maker Masimo over its blood oxygen function. Apple has marketed its smartwatch as a life-saving device, a promotion that has helped make it the best-selling next-generation watch worldwide.
Other models remain on sale, but the import ban would affect Apple Watch Series 6 and later, as well as any Apple Watch Ultra models imported after the end of an upcoming trial period. However, according to Apple, it will not affect sales of the Apple Watch SE. The Series 9 features a custom S9 chip for faster constant processing and enables hand gestures to control the watch, thanks in part to an improved neural engine that processes sensor data and machine learning.
The legal battle threatens to become one of the most bitter over a patent. Apple's decision came after the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in October that several of the brand's watches infringed patents owned by Masimo, a medical device company in Irvine, California. At trial, Masimo explained how Apple poached its top executives and more than a dozen employees and then launched a watch with Masimo's patented pulse oximetry features, which measures the oxygen content of red blood cells.
To avoid an outright ban on sales, Apple had two months to reach an agreement with Masimo and license its technology or it could appeal to President Joe Biden's administration to overturn the decision, which it would have 60 days to do , before the final ban takes effect. “Although the review period does not end until December 25, Apple is taking preventive measures to comply with the ruling if it is confirmed,” the company said in a statement announcing the precautionary suspension.
“Apple completely disagrees with the order [de la Comisión de Comercio] and is considering a range of legal and technical options to ensure that the Apple Watch is available to customers.” The Apple company added that if the order stands, it will “continue to take all measures to ensure the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to be returned to customers in the United States as quickly as possible,” he added, referring to his decision to appeal to the Biden administration.
However, Joe Kiani, CEO of Masimo, stated in an interview that Apple has not entered into negotiations to obtain the license. Instead, he pointed out that Apple had appealed to President Biden to veto the ITC ruling. Kiani claimed to have found out because the government contacted him about Apple's request.
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