Apple Watch Banned?! Shocking Patent Battle Heats Up

The US has upheld a ban on the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches due to a patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo.

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Apple was initially allowed to sell the watches while the legal battle continued, but a US appeals court has reversed that decision.

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Imports of the watches are also affected by the ban.

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Apple has said it will release versions of the watches without the disputed blood oxygen feature to comply with the ruling.

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The dispute centers on allegations that Apple poached key staff and stole technology from Masimo.

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The US International Trade Commission had previously ruled that Apple had violated some patent rights.

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Apple's watches have included the blood oxygen feature since 2020, but the SE model does not.

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The ban went into effect on January 19, 2024.

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Apple said it "strongly disagreed" with the ruling but is taking steps to comply.

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Apple is now the world's largest smartphone maker, having overtaken Samsung for the first time in 12 years.

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