Apple is no longer able to sell the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 in the United States following President Joe Biden’s administration’s decision not to veto the ban today.
On December 21st, Apple removed both devices from its website, and on December 24th, it removed them from its retail shelves. After “careful consideration,” the agency “decided not to reverse the ITC’s [International Trade Commission] determination,” according to a statement from the Office of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai obtained by CNBC.
In another statement published by Reuters, an unnamed Apple spokesperson confirmed it’s appealing the ITC decision and said: “We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible.”
After determining that Apple had violated a patent owned by a firm named Masimo regarding blood oxygen saturation technology, the ITC ordered the ban.
Additionally, it mandated that Apple cease selling any previously imported gadgets that contained the infringed technology.
Apple tried to overturn the ruling while waiting for an appeal, but the ITC rejected the company’s request, and Biden’s veto was the second option for intervention, which never materialised.
Only US Apple outlets are impacted by the prohibition. As long as supplies last, shoppers can still purchase a Watch Series 9 or Watch Ultra 2 at Best Buy, Target, and other stores.
