US president must consider possible import ban on Apple Watch

The US International Trade Commission has issued a possible import ban on the Apple Watch. Apple allegedly violated a medical company’s patent. The American president must now decide whether to impose an import ban.

According to Reuters the International Trade Commission had already ruled in January this year that Apple had violated a patent from the medical company Masimo regarding the blood oxygen meter in the Apple Watch. Now the Trade Commission has also linked it to a potential import ban. However, this possible ban is not yet in effect, as it is being passed on to the administration of the US president. It must make a final judgment within sixty days.

Reuters writes that American presidents rarely veto an import ban. Apple can still appeal. The American company has already responded to the committee’s decision and believes it will contest the decision.

Apple added a blood oxygen meter to the Apple Watch for the first time in 2020, via the Apple Watch Series 6. This meter has optical sensors on the back of the watch.

Update, 7:50 PM: The body of the article stated that an import ban is unlikely because American presidents would not often impose such bans. That was wrong. According to Reuters, American presidents rarely veto an import ban. Thanks to MikeN’s response.

Apple Watch Series 6