The latest Apple Watches are set to hit the shelves as an import ban faces a temporary halt, following an appeals court decision on Wednesday—a significant win for the iPhone manufacturer.
In an official statement, Apple announced the availability of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models at its stores from Wednesday, with online sales commencing on Thursday.
Summary- Apple Watch
Apple has regained the ability to sell its latest smartwatches in the US following an emergency appeal filed with the authorities.
The Series 9 and Ultra 2 watch sales were suspended in the US due to a patent dispute. The US trade body prohibited the import and sale of Apple watches equipped with blood-oxygen level reading technology.
Masimo, the device manufacturer, accused Apple of recruiting its staff and using its technology.
Despite Apple’s strong disagreement with the ruling, the White House chose not to overturn the ban on sales and imports of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches, which came into effect this week.
The iPhone manufacturer, seeking urgent relief, successfully petitioned the US Court of Appeals to lift the ban.
Earlier this month, Apple took proactive measures by preemptively removing the devices from its US website and local stores. Sales in other regions remained unaffected.
The order from the US International Trade Commission (USITC) in October underwent a 60-day review by the president, who possessed the authority to veto the decision. The review concluded on Christmas Day, with the White House opting to maintain the ban.
On Tuesday, the office of the United States Trade Representative Ambassador, Katherine Tai, announced the decision not to overturn the USITC’s ruling following careful consultations.
Throughout the ban, third-party retailers retained the ability to sell their current inventory of Apple Watches. However, their ability to restock would have eventually been hindered by the import ban. Notably, the more affordable Apple Watch SE, which does not feature the contested blood oxygen sensor, remained unaffected by the ban, ensuring its continuous availability.
The ban’s impact on third-party retailers highlights the broader ramifications of the import restrictions on the Apple Watch models. This period likely posed challenges for these retailers, as their ability to fulfill customer demand and maintain a diverse product offering would have been compromised.
