Current:Home > MarketsWhite House upholds trade ban on Apple Watches after accusations of patent infringement -Mastery Money Tools
White House upholds trade ban on Apple Watches after accusations of patent infringement
View
Date:2025-04-14 12:56:30
The Biden administration announced Tuesday it will uphold a U.S. International Trade Commission order banning the sale of certain Apple Watches.
According to a release by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai declined to reverse an Oct. 26 ITC decision that found a blood-oxygen tracking feature in Apple Watches infringed on existing patents.
Apple did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment, but Reuters reported that Apple filed an emergency request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to halt the ban.
Here is what else to know about the Apple Watch ban.
More:Apple announces new MacBook Pros, chips at 'Scary Fast' event
Why are Apple Watches banned?
The ban comes after two California-based health technology companies, Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories, accused Apple of infringing on its patent for a blood-oxygen tracking technology.
Masimo filed a complaint in 2021, leading to the ITC order.
"The decision to exclude certain foreign-made models of the Apple Watch demonstrates that even the world's most powerful company must abide by the law,” Masimo said in an emailed statement, USA TODAY previously reported.
Apple has also accused Masimo of infringing patents and filed two lawsuits against the company last year after Masimo launched its own smartwatch.
What Apple Watch models are banned?
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The watches, which launched in September, were no longer available in the U.S. online Dec. 21 and were yanked from shelves Dec. 24.
The Blood Oxygen feature is available on the Apple Watch Series 6 or later, excluding the Apple Watch SE.
The order will have no impact on Apple Watches already purchased.
What will happen next?
According to Reuters, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is set to decide whether or not redesigined watches infringe on Masimo's patents by Jan. 12.
"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 U.S. as soon as possible," Apple said in a Tuesday statement shared with Reuters.
veryGood! (11)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- US boxer Jajaira Gonzalez beats French gold medalist, quiets raucous crowd
- Dwyane Wade Olympics broadcasting: NBA legend, Noah Eagle's commentary praised on social media
- Equestrian scandal leaves niche sport flat-footed in addressing it at Olympics
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Who Is Barron Trump? Get to Know Donald Trump and Melania Trump's 18-Year-Old Son
- Team USA's Haley Batten takes silver medal in women's mountain biking at Paris Olympics
- Oldest zoo in the US finds new ways to flourish. See how it is making its mark.
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Bette Midler talks 'Mamma Mia!' moment in new movie: 'What have we done?'
Ranking
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- MLB trade deadline tracker 2024: Breaking down every deal before baseball's big day
- Piece of Eiffel Tower in medals? Gold medals not solid gold? Olympic medals deep dive
- Attorney for cartel leader ‘El Mayo’ Zambada says his client was kidnapped and brought to the US
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi apologizes to wife for losing wedding ring at Paris opening ceremony
- Meet the trio of top Boston Red Sox prospects slugging their way to Fenway
- Is Christian Pulisic playing in the Olympics? Why USMNT star isn't at 2024 Paris Games
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Don’t Miss Old Navy’s 50% off Sale: Shop Denim Staples, Cozy Cardigans & More Great Finds Starting at $7
How deep is the Olympic swimming pool? Everything to know about its dimensions, capacity
Katie Ledecky couldn't find 'that next gear.' Still, she's 'grateful' for bronze medal.
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
2024 Paris Olympics highlight climate change's growing threat to athletes
Thousands battle Western wildfires as smoke puts millions under air quality alerts
US women's 4x100 free relay wins silver at Paris Olympics