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Apple will stop selling the Apple Watch in the United States this week
Tonight, Apple broke the big news that Apple is preparing to stop selling the Apple Watch S9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States due to a long-term patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo.
What's going on behind the scenes?
It is understood that Apple announced in a statementIt will soon stop selling its flagship Apple Watch model in the United States.
Starting later this week, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will no longer be available for purchase in the United States.
The move follows a ruling by the International Commission (ITC) that is part of a long-running patent dispute between Apple and medical technology company Masimo over the Apple Watch's blood oxygen sensor technology.
After 3 p.m. ET on December 21, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 will no longer be available to order on Apple**. After December 24, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 will no longer be available in retail stores.
Previously, the international ** committee had already announced its ruling, which referred the case to Biden ** for a 60-day ** review period.
In the process, Biden has the power to veto this ruling, although it has not yet happened. **The review period expires on December 25, and Apple announced this today as a "preventive" measure to comply with the ITC's decision.
Apple said that the ITC's ban only affects sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, as these devices offer blood oxygen monitoring. The low-end Apple Watch SE, which lacks this sensor, is not affected and will continue to be sold.
The ITC's ban only applies to new sales of affected Apple Watch models.
Here's the full statement released by Apple:
An order from the U.S. International Commission on Intellectual Property Rights concerning a Technical Intellectual Property Dispute Involving the Blood Oxygen Function of Apple Watch Devices is currently in the review period. Although the review period did not end until December 25, Apple is taking precautionary measures to comply with the ruling, including a suspension at Apple starting December 21Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are available on com, and will be suspended in Apple retail stores from December 24.
Apple's team works tirelessly to create products and services with industry-leading health, fitness, and safety features. Apple has strongly opposed this order and is pursuing a series of legal and technical means to ensure that the Apple Watch remains available to customers.
If the order is carried out, Apple will continue to take all measures to bring the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 back on sale in the United States as soon as possible.
Over the years, there have been several legal battles between medical technology company Masimo and Apple. At the center of the controversy is Masimo's allegation that Apple's watch's blood oxygen sensor technology infringes several of its patents.
Apple stressed that today's announcement and the imminent suspension of Apple Watch sales are part of the company's "precautionary steps to comply with the ruling, if the ruling takes effect."
Apple said it would appeal the ITC's ruling on the Apple Watch's patented blood oxygen sensor technology.
Apple believes that the ITC's decision will cause harm to Apple's merchants and consumers, and could lead to a greater impact on the overall economy.
Apple said Masimo was trying to use the lawsuit to push for the launch of its own smartwatch products. If the ITC's decision is upheld, Apple says that Masimo itself will not see any substantial benefits, as Masimo smartwatches are not a replacement for Apple Watches.
*: China ** Daily.
Editor: Luo Ting.
Review: Zhang Xin.