OAN’s James Meyers
9:38 AM – Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Multiple Apple Watch models have been banned from being imported after the Biden administration declined to veto an agency’s decision to restrict the products.
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The decision comes after The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in October to ban Apple Watch models Ultra 2 and Series 9 over a technology that detects blood-oxygen levels.
The order dated back to a complaint in 2021 that accused Apple of violating medical device maker company Masimo Corp’s “light-based oximetry functionality.”
The decision from the ITC, which went into effect on Tuesday, would have needed a presidential veto to be overturned.
Additionally, Apple ended direct U.S. sales of model Ultra 2 and Series 9 watches last week.
Meanwhile, Apple has said it’s appealing the decision and they are also suing Masimo.
“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 U.S. as soon as possible,” Apple said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Our teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features,” Apple said when the ITC ban was issued.
Apple asked the Federal Circuit to halt the ban until U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides whether the Apple Watch designs did defy Masimo’s patents.
The customs office is set to make their decision on January 12th, according to Apple.
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