Apple Watch returns to American stores but temporarily

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today granted Apple’s request to temporarily lift the United States International Trade Commission’s current import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches. The ban officially came into effect earlier this week. That is, before today’s court decision. So the Apple Watch returns to American stores.

Apple Watch returns to American stores but temporarily

According to CNBC, the appeal court’s decision means that Apple can resume sales of both Apple Watch models online and in its stores. We remind you that Apple stopped selling smartwatches online in the United States on December 21st. In the case of its stores, it was from December 24th. At the time this article was written, Apple has not yet enabled sales of smartwatches on its website.

The ITC originally ruled in October that the hardware and software in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 infringed on the patents of a company called Masimo. In practice, it created blood oxygen sensor technology. The Biden administration had the power to overturn the ban after a 60-day review period that ended on December 25. However, it ultimately decided not to overturn the ITC’s decision.

Today’s decision by the appeals court is a huge victory for Apple. This is because this company continues to appeal the ITC’s full decision. Apple is currently asking for an even longer pause on the US import ban while the appeals court makes a more permanent ruling on the ongoing patent infringement battle between Apple and Masimo.

This pause in the import ban also means that third-party retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and others can accept new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 units to add to their inventory. Until the original ITC ban, third-party retailers could continue to sell smartphones. However, when their inventory was exhausted, they could not sell any more.