Apple to stop some watch sales in the US over patent dispute
Sales of some of the latest Apple Watches are to be halted in the US later this week if the White House does not intervene in an international patent dispute.
Apple plans to suspend sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions of its popular watch for online US customers beginning on Thursday and in its stores on Sunday.
The move stems from an October decision by the International Trade Commission restricting Apple’s watches with the blood oxygen measurement feature as part of an intellectual property dispute with medical technology company Masimo.
The White House had 60 days to review the ITC order issued on October 26, meaning Apple could have kept selling the two affected models in the US over Christmas.
But the tech giant said in a statement on Monday that it is pausing sales early to ensure it complies with the ITC order.
If the ITC’s sales ban is not overturned, Apple pledged to “take all measures” to resume sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in the US as soon as possible.
The Apple Watch SE, which lacks the blood oxygen feature, will remain on sale in the US after Christmas Eve.
Previously purchased Apple Watches equipped with the blood oxygen are not affected by the ITC order.