TECH: US lifts ban on imports of latest Apple watch

Apple Inc. has successfully resumed the sale of its latest smartwatches in the United States after filing an emergency appeal with the authorities. The sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches had been temporarily halted due to a patent dispute involving technology used for reading blood-oxygen levels.JAMB Portal

The halt in sales followed an order from the US International Trade Commission (USITC), which barred imports and sales of certain Apple watches in the US. This decision was based on allegations by medical device maker Masimo Corporation that Apple had infringed on its patents. Masimo accused Apple of poaching its staff and misappropriating technology used for measuring oxygen levels in the blood.NYSC Portal

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The White House had recently opted not to overturn the USITC’s ban, which took effect earlier this week. However, Apple, disagreeing strongly with the ruling, filed an emergency request to the US Court of Appeals. This move proved successful, leading to the lifting of the ban on Apple’s latest smartwatches.

Prior to the appeal, Apple had preemptively removed the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches from its US website and stores. This situation did not impact sales in other countries.

The original USITC order, issued in October, was subject to a 60-day review period by the president, who had the authority to veto the decision. However, the review period ended on Christmas Day without a veto, thus maintaining the ban. The decision by the office of United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai not to reverse the USITC’s decision came after “careful consultations.”JAMB Result

In its request for a stay on the ban, Apple sought time until Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could assess whether redesigned versions of its watches, which reportedly do not include the disputed technology, infringed on Masimo’s patents. CBP was scheduled to make its decision by January 12, as per an Apple spokesperson.

The lifting of the ban allows Apple to continue selling most versions of its smartwatches, which have included the blood oxygen feature since 2020, except for the lower-cost SE models.InformationGuideNigeria

In a statement given on Tuesday, Apple said: “We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible”.

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