US judge pauses import ban on Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2

Apple may import the Watch 9 and Ultra 2 back to the United States and sell them in that country. A US court has paused an earlier blockade by the International Trade Commission pending an additional customs check.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has decided to grant Apple’s request to temporarily suspend the import ban, according to a statement published by The Verge. Apple has now started selling the two smartwatch models. Apple was not allowed to sell the smartwatches through its own stores since earlier this week and was also not allowed to deliver the watches to third-party retailers.

The ban revolves around the blood oxygen meters of the two smartwatches. The medical company Masimo claims that Apple stole trade secrets and violated patents with its implementation of the blood oxygen meter. Masimo therefore filed a lawsuit and complained to the International Trade Commission. The trade commission said in October that Apple had indeed violated Masimo’s patents, after which the sales ban could take effect two months later.

Apple has now adjusted the two smartwatches and has asked American customs to look at the two models again. If customs concludes that the devices no longer infringe Masimo’s patents, Apple may continue to import the smartwatches. Customs is expected to make its decision on January 12.