Breaking the brief hiatus caused by a patent dispute, Apple has officially announced the immediate resumption of in-store sales for its latest smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, in the United States. This development comes after a temporary suspension prompted by a legal battle with health tech company Masimo, which resulted in an import ban on these sought-after models. Apple expressed its excitement in a statement, sharing, “We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year.” As of Thursday, both the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are once again available for purchase on Apple’s official website.
The decision follows a US appeals court’s temporary lift of the import ban, allowing Apple to resume sales while the court evaluates the company’s request to suspend the ban during the patent dispute’s legal proceedings. Apple expects the appeals court to review its motion for a stay as early as January 15. The heart of the dispute revolves around the blood oxygen detection feature in these innovative watches.
This week saw Apple temporarily halting sales and imports of the affected watches, some of its most lucrative consumer products. An emergency appeal was promptly filed, arguing potential “irreparable harm” if the ban, imposed by the International Trade Commission, remained in place. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, being the latest and most advanced smartwatches, were temporarily pulled from both online and in-store shelves.
Despite these challenges, Apple remains proactive in its commitment to providing customers with its cutting-edge smartwatches. The company is actively exploring legal and technical solutions, including the submission of a proposed redesign for approval by US Customs, underscoring Apple’s dedication to overcoming obstacles and ensuring the availability of its flagship products.