Import ban paused, Apple can now sell its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US again

Import ban paused, Apple can now sell its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US again

In a dramatic turn of events, Apple can now sell its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches in the US again.

That’s because the US International Trade Commission’s import ban on the watches have been temporarily paused by the US Court of Appeals.

Apple spokesperson Nikki Rothberg said:

Apple’s teams have worked tirelessly over many years to develop technology that empowers users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features and we are pleased the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has stayed the exclusion order while it considers our request to stay the order pending our full appeal.

The appeals court has allowed Apple to continue selling the watches while it waits to learn if the proposed changes to its watches would circumvent the patent issues.

Medical device maker Masimo alleges that the blood oxygen level feature in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 infringes on its patents.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will be available in some physical Apple Stores in the US starting today and with wider availability expected by the weekend.

Now, the US ITC has until 10 January to file its response to Apple’s request for a full stay while the appeal plays out and argue its case for the ban to restart immediately. The appeals court will make its final ruling later.

While there’s no guarantee that Apple will be granted a full stay and be allowed to sell its watches until the ruling is final, this temporary pause will at least give it the opportunity to provide third-party sellers with ample stock.

The ban does not apply to third-party sellers like Best Buy and Walmart, who are still allowed to sell the watches, but cannot acquire new stock.

Source: The Verge, MacRumors