Apple Gets Temporary Win as Appeals Court Pauses Ban of Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 – CNET [CNET]
“The motion for an interim stay is granted to the extent that the Remedial Orders are temporarily stayed,” the court wrote in a filing Wednesday, as spotted by CNBC.
The move comes amid an ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo, a health tech company, over how the Apple Watch detects blood oxygen levels. The US International Trade Commission previously banned the latest watches, backing a judge’s ruling from January that found Apple had violated Masimo’s patents.
Apple appealed the case and has been working on a software update for US Customs to review. As noted by Bloomberg, the government is expected to decide Jan. 12 whether Apple’s changes are sufficient.
As a preemptive measure ahead of the ban, Apple halted sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 via its online stores Dec. 21 and at its physical stores Dec. 24. Consumers have still been able to buy the wearables, as well as the non-impacted Apple Watch SE, at third-party retailers including Best Buy, Amazon and Walmart, at least while supplies last.
As of this report, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were still not available at Apple’s online store. Apple did not immediately respond to a CNET request for comment.