After a short stoppage, consumers in the U.S. can buy Apple’s latest smartwatches again. Apple filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. government after it barred imports and sales of Apple watches with technology for reading blood-oxygen levels due to a patent conflict. It seems that Masimo accused Apple of poaching staff and technology.
Initially, the White House declined to overturn the ban on sales and imports of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches, which started on December 26. Apple “strongly disagreed” with the ruling. The company made an emergency request to the U.S. Court of Appeals, which resulted in the ban being lifted.
Apple requested a stay on the ban until Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decided if the redesigned versions of the watches, devoid of the disputed technology, violated Masimo’s patents.
