Where Apple Stands Amid the Patent Dispute

(Photo Courtesy: Cnet.com)

Since Apple’s smartwatch release in April 2015, the multifaceted Apple Watch has emerged as one of the top-selling smartwatches in regard to their respected competitors. After Apple allegedly violated a patent with the medical company, Masimo, regarding a certain health feature, the U.S. International Trade Commission, (ITC) has mandated that Apple remove the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from their online and in-store stock following Apple’s infraction, which was done on December 18th.

The Apple Watch has added new features every year since its initial release. The series 6 and following models contain a specific medical feature that gives users the ability to measure their blood oxygen level. Despite the benefit this useful functionality provides, the ITC claimed that Apple had emulated Masimo’s patent with regards to this feature back in October.

In response to the dilemma, Apple has noted in a statement that they, “strongly disagrees with the order and is pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure that Apple Watch is available to customers." With the busy holiday season soon coming to a close, though many customers have likely already purchased the watch many weeks ago, this halt will still disrupt exchanges and upgrades customers would typically consider conducting with their new watches.

Additionally, Apple Watches with the violated feature that were previously purchased but not covered under warranty will lack the ability to be repaired or replaced for the time being. Devices protected with Apple Care, or single-year warranties will not be impacted.

Moving forward, whether Apple will release an update that will remove or modify the blood oxygen feature on the watch device is currently unknown. President Biden has opted to not intervene in the patent over the past week, with his Christmas deadline to have overturned the situation in office having passed as of Monday morning.

Apart from Apple Watches with the built-in blood oxygen feature, the Apple Watch SE is the only alternative model Apple is offering for sale. Previous purchases and active devices containing this feature will be unaffected. Non-U.S. countries still have the authority to continue regular sales of any Apple Watch, having no correlation with this matter.