Apple forced to stop sales of smartwatches in the US before Christmas due to legal blow

Starting this Thursday, Apple will stop selling its two latest models, the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America

Apple was forced to suspend sales of its smartwatches in the US due to a looming import ban.

The technology company will stop selling its two latest models, the Apple Watch Series. 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 starting this Thursday.

It comes after medical technology company Masimo won a patent dispute over the gadget's blood oxygen sensor at the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

< p>The ruling means imports of the device will be blocked from Christmas , unless Joe Biden vetoes the ITC decision.

Apple said it would suspend online sales of smartwatches starting Thursday and stop selling them in stores. from 3pm on Christmas Eve.

Other retailers will be able to continue selling them, but the import ban will mean sales will continue as long as stocks last.

The ruling does not apply to the cheaper version of the watch, which does not contain oxygen in the blood. sensor. The feature is intended to provide an overall measure of respiratory health.

Apple said it is considering legal options.

It said: “Apple teams work tirelessly to create products and services that provide users with industry-leading health, wellness and security features. «Apple strongly disagrees with this order and is considering a number of legal and technical options to ensure Apple Watch remains available to customers.»

Apple introduced a blood oximeter in 2020, and the following year Masimo complained that it had infringed its patents.

Masimo said the two companies had previously discussed working together on the feature, but Apple ended up stealing the information to create the feature itself. Apple has denied the claims.

Apple is expected to file an appeal on December 26, when the presidential review of the ITC import bans expires. Meanwhile, the pause in online sales could briefly hit revenue at the end of the crucial Christmas trading period.

Apple does not disclose Apple Watch sales, but does report its accessories division, which includes smartwatches and other gadgets such as like AirPods. , sold $9.3bn (£7.4bn) worth of products in the latest quarter. That's more revenue than iPads or Macs.