Apple has reportedly devised a solution to navigate around the import ban imposed on its latest smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The company plans to eliminate the blood oxygen monitoring functionality from these watches if its appeal of the import ban proves unsuccessful, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The ban was instituted in response to medical device maker Masimo’s claim that certain Apple Watch models violated its patents related to blood oxygen monitoring technology.
Apple is preparing for potential changes indicating the removal of the oximeter functionality
Masimo filed a statement on Monday, which has not been publicly disclosed, indicating that the US Customs and Border Protection has determined Apple’s redesigned watches fall outside the scope of the import ban. The filing also notes that Apple assured Customs and Border Protection that the redesigned watches “definitively do not contain pulse oximetry functionality.” This represents a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between the two companies.
In response to Masimo’s claims, Apple has maintained that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are still available with the blood oxygen monitoring tool. However, the company is preparing for potential changes, indicating its willingness to remove this feature should its appeal be unsuccessful. Apple expects a ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on its motion for a stay of the import ban, with a full appeal likely taking at least a year.
The import ban initially took effect on December 26, temporarily halting the sale of the affected Apple Watch models. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit intervened on the following day, allowing Apple to resume sales while the legal proceedings continue. The removal of the blood oxygen monitoring feature could represent a strategic move by Apple to maintain the availability of its latest smartwatches in the US market amid the ongoing legal dispute.
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