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We all know the Apple Watch as the most popular smartwatch on the market. It’s definitely a hit stateside, but that might change, as the Apple Watch faces a ban in The US. This is all because of a patent infringement lawsuit that the company is facing, according to the report.
What’s going on with the potential Apple Watch ban
We all know that smartwatches have had the ability to detect blood oxygen for a little while. This is something that 2020’s Apple Watch 6 can do. However, Apple is facing a patent infringement lawsuit over the light-based pulse oximetry technology that the watch uses.
A medical technology company called Masimo holds a patent for that technology, and it filed a lawsuit with the International Trade Commission (ITC). Well, the ITC ruled in favor of this case, and it could potentially mean that Apple will not be able to import Apple Watches into the country.
As you can imagine, the company is not too pleased about this. An Apple spokesperson commented on this situation.
“Masimo has wrongly attempted to use the ITC to keep a potentially lifesaving product from millions of U.S. consumers while making way for their own watch that copies Apple… While today’s decision has no immediate impact on sales of Apple Watch, we believe it should be reversed, and will continue our efforts to appeal.”
It’s up to the president
While the ITC ruled in favor of Masimo, it’s not going to go into effect right away. You can still put in your order for your Apple Watch 9. At this point, it’s up to the Biden administration to bring down the hammer. Right now, the US president has the power to veto the ruling, which is a rare occasion.
He has 60 days to make the decision. So, in the meantime, we know that Apple is doing what it can to keep the Apple Watch ban at bay. Also, we can’t rule out the possibility of Apple and Masimo communicating and coming to some sort of agreement or settlement before the 60 days are up. Only time will tell.