The U.S. International Trade Commission has issued an order that could lead to an import ban on Apple Watches. The Commission imposed the ban in response to a judge’s ruling that Apple had violated medical tech company Masimo’s patent rights by using its blood-oxygen reading technology in some versions of the Apple Watch.
The decision is now pending President Biden’s approval and if the administration does not veto the ruling within 60 days, Apple Watches will be subject to an import ban. Typically, presidents uphold the ITC’s decisions. Apple also has the option to appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals after the presidential review period has expired.
In a statement, Apple vehemently disagreed with the ITC’s decision, calling itself the victim of theft and accusing Masimo of trying to use the ITC to hinder its product. An import ban on Apple Watches could make them essentially unobtainable for U.S. consumers as Apple predominantly manufactures its products abroad, particularly in low-wage Asian countries like China and Vietnam.
Apple is also facing another patent-infringement lawsuit from medical tech company AliveCor. The ITC issued an import ban in that case back in February, but it was placed on hold due to concerns about the validity of AliveCor’s patents.
If the import ban on Apple Watches goes into effect, it is unclear whether it will apply to all versions of the Apple Watch or just specific models like the Apple Watch Series 6 released in 2020.
Apple has dominated the smartwatch market since it launched the Apple Watch in 2015, selling over 50 million units last year alone and generating nearly $9 billion in annual accessory sales for the Watch.
Unique Perspective: The potential import ban on Apple Watches highlights the escalating patent disputes in the tech industry. Intellectual property rights are crucial for innovation and fair competition, but they can also lead to legal battles that impact companies and consumers. As technology continues to advance, it is important for companies to respect patents and find innovative solutions that benefit both their businesses and consumers.
