By CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple’s efforts to resolve a patent dispute have hit a roadblock, leading the company to suspend sales of two sought-after Apple Watch models just as the holiday-shopping season reaches its peak.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has turned down Apple’s recent appeal to circumvent an order made in late October regarding the technology utilized in the Blood Oxygen measurement feature found in the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions of their internet-connected timepieces.
The dispute originated from a patent-infringement lawsuit filed in 2021 by medical-technology firm Masimo. As a result, a U.S. ban was imposed, preventing Apple from using the patented technology required for the Blood Oxygen feature on these two watch models.
With the ITC’s decision issued on Wednesday, Apple must now proceed with its plan to halt sales of the affected watch models in the United States until the ruling is potentially overturned by the Biden administration before Christmas.
Online sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will cease at 3 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, while store shelves will be cleared of these models starting Sunday. However, the less advanced version of the Apple Watch will remain available for purchase in the U.S. after Christmas Eve. Customers who have previously purchased Apple Watches equipped with the Blood Oxygen feature will not be impacted by the ITC order.
According to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, Apple’s sales during the holiday season could see a decline of $300 million to $400 million if the patent dispute results in the removal of these two watch models from the U.S. market in the final week of the year.
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