Apple Watch Ban: Everything You Need to Know
Apple is grappling with a significant setback as it ceases the sale of its latest Apple Watch models, the Series 9 and Ultra 2, following a patent infringement case. The abrupt halt in sales, effective from December 21st, is a response to an import ban imposed by the US International Trade Commission (USITC), which ruled in October that Apple violated patents related to pulse oximetry technology owned by Masimo, a medical device manufacturer.
The ban prevents Apple from importing and selling the Series 9 and Ultra Series 2 in the United States, marking a notable setback for the tech giant. While Apple is actively seeking a resolution to evade the ban, the process may extend over a considerable duration.
The impact extends beyond sales restrictions, affecting out-of-warranty hardware repairs for various Apple Watch models. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has communicated to customer service staff that out-of-warranty hardware repairs and complete unit replacements for Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models (excluding the SE) will be unavailable during the ban imposed by the USITC.
For owners of the affected models, especially those out of warranty, caution is advised in handling and using their Apple smartwatches. Devices under warranty or covered by the AppleCare Plus program remain unaffected by the current situation. Apple plans to notify customers when hardware replacements become available, providing a solution to the limitations imposed by the USITC.
