A day after the implementation of a ban on specific models of Apple Watches, a federal appeals court has temporarily lifted the ban while it considers whether to extend the hold. The U.S. Court of Appeals issued the order on Wednesday, in response to a request from Apple, to pause the ban on the import and sale of smartwatch models involved in a patent dispute.
The decision comes as a victory for Apple, which had requested the pause in order to allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine whether the redesigned versions of the watches still infringe the disputed patents. The CBP is expected to make a decision on January 12, 2024, according to Apple.
The ban, which was put into effect on December 27, 2023, was the result of a patent infringement lawsuit brought against Apple by a company called Masimo. The lawsuit alleged that certain Apple Watch models infringed on Masimo’s patents related to health monitoring technology, specifically the ability to measure oxygen levels in the blood.
In response to the lawsuit, Apple stopped selling the affected models of the Apple Watch and introduced redesigned versions that it claims do not infringe on Masimo’s patents. However, the CBP’s decision to enforce the ban raised concerns for Apple, as it could potentially impact the company’s sales and operations.
Apple’s request for a pause in the ban was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which will now consider whether to grant a longer-term hold on the ban. The court’s decision to temporarily lift the ban indicates that it believes there is a valid argument for allowing the import and sale of the redesigned Apple Watch models while the dispute is being resolved.
The outcome of the patent dispute between Apple and Masimo is being closely watched by the tech industry, as it could have implications for the future of wearable health monitoring devices. The ability to measure oxygen levels in the blood is a key feature of many smartwatches and fitness trackers, and the outcome of this case could impact the development and sale of such devices in the future.
In the meantime, Apple will be eagerly awaiting the CBP’s decision on whether the redesigned Apple Watch models still infringe on Masimo’s patents. The outcome of that decision could have significant implications for the company’s business, as well as for the wider smartwatch and wearable technology industry.
