The Apple Watch sales ban couldn't have come at a worst time for the company. It's going to miss out on the holiday shopping frenzy for a product that makes for a great holiday gift. Unfortunately for Apple, it has to stop selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 in the United States.
Apple has tried to get this ban halted but has failed in its attempt to do so. Its motion to delay the import and sales ban on these models until the outcome of the appeal was denied by the US International Trade Commission.
ITC denies crucial relief to Apple
Apple finds itself in this problem due to a patent infringement claim. Masimo, a medical technology company, sued Apple on grounds of patent infringement. Masimo took the case to the IRC where it was found that Apple infringed on Masimo's blood oxygen scanning technology patents.
Apple doesn't agree with the ban but has preemptively complied with the ruling by halting sales of its latest smartwatches. The last day that customers can purchase these models from Apple's retail stores is December 24 as the import ban will officially be implemented from December 26. Apple is said to be considering other methods of trying to circumvent the ban, even by potentially making software changes.
The company had tried to get a stay on the ban until its appeal against the ITC's ruling was decided. However, this request has now been denied by the ITC. A presidential veto from Biden can undo the ban but observers suggest that the possibility of that happening is very slim.
Perhaps Apple might consider software changes to change the disputed features so that its latest models can be sold in the US again. Older models remain unaffected and will continue to be sold through Apple's sales channels.
