Apple Watch Imports Banned in America – Again
In a recent development, a federal appeals court has rejected Apple’s motion to temporarily halt the ban on importing advanced models of the Apple Watch. The ban, previously enforced by a US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling last month, is set to be reinstated on Thursday, as outlined in a court filing on Wednesday.
Apple sought a temporary stay on the ban while appealing the ITC ruling, which prohibits the import of newer Apple Watch models, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, to the United States. The ITC ruling was based on the infringement of patents registered to another company.
Previously, Apple had obtained an interim pause on the ban until a judge could rule on a more extended stay, which would cover the duration of the appeal process, anticipated to span several months. With Wednesday’s court decision, the import ban will now remain in effect throughout the appeal process.
Despite the setback, Apple has found a workaround to continue its operations. Earlier this month, the company secured approval from US Customs and Border Protection to import a redesigned version of its most advanced Apple watches. Notably, these redesigned watches will omit the pulse oximeter function, a medical scanning technology that measures oxygen concentration in the bloodstream—the feature central to the patent dispute.
Apple has not provided an immediate response to the latest court ruling. The legal developments underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the tech giant in navigating patent disputes and import restrictions, emphasizing the significance of innovation and compliance in the competitive market.
