Apple pauses sales of latest watches in the U.S. after ITC decision

Apple is temporarily pulling certain Apple Watches from the U.S. market to comply with an import ban issued by the International Trade Commission in October.

The ITC declared two months ago that Apple infringed on the patents of pulse oximeter company Masimo. President Biden has until Dec. 25 to approve or veto the import ban, but Apple has decided to preemptively comply with the order. Apple Watches with blood oxygen measuring capabilities will be removed from Apple’s website on Dec. 21, and from its stores on Dec. 24. The older version of the Apple Watch, which tracks heart rate and physical activity, will still be available.

“Should the order stand, Apple will continue to take all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible,” Apple said in a statement shared by spokesperson Hannah Smith.

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