Apple to Fight Watch Ban in Court
US trade rep says decision made after ‘careful consultations’.
Apple appeals to federal court to lift bar on watch sales, after White House declines to act
Tweet on Apple smartwatch ban
The White House refused to overturn a sales ban on Apple Inc.’s smartwatches in the US, prompting the tech giant to seek relief in federal court via Bloomberg#apple #Smartwatch #banhttps://t.co/H6pRZc599V
— The_Journalbiz (@the_journalbiz) December 27, 2023
Bloomberg News on Apple smartwatch ban
The White House refused to overturn a sales ban on Apple Inc.’s smartwatches in the US, prompting the tech giant to seek relief in federal court.
The US International Trade Commission determined in October that Apple violated two Masimo Corp. health-technology patents with a blood-oxygen sensor in its watches. The White House had 60 days to review the import ban, with the decision resting with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
“After careful consultations, Ambassador Tai decided not to reverse the ITC’s determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023,” the Office of the US Trade Representative said Tuesday in a statement.
Apple announced hours after the trade office’s decision that it is challenging the ITC ruling at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The company on Tuesday also filed an emergency motion seeking to lift the ban on watch sales while the court considers its appeal.
“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,” an Apple spokeswoman said.
Apple had stopped selling its Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches in its online store and US retail outlets ahead of the review’s Tuesday deadline.
