Apple Plans to Eliminate Blood-Oxygen Sensors from Apple Watches to Avert Potential Ban, According to Reports

Apple to remove blood oxygen ytool from its watches

Reports suggest that Apple is planning to eliminate blood-oxygen sensors from some of its smartwatches to sidestep a potential ban in the United States, stemming from an ongoing patent dispute with health tech company Masimo Corp. The move is seen as a strategic measure to navigate around the patent-related challenges and ensure that Apple’s watches remain in the market.

Masimo Corp., engaged in a patent feud with Apple over the technology, revealed that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has determined that Apple’s redesigned watches fall outside the scope of an import ban imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission. This development, reported by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, is aimed at allowing Apple to continue selling its watches without further legal hindrances.

Apple, as well as Masimo Corp., have yet to respond to requests for comments on these recent developments.

In December, Apple took the unusual step of temporarily halting the sale of its new smartwatch models, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, due to the patent dispute. The International Trade Commission had declared that these products violated Masimo’s patent, prompting Apple to appeal the decision. The tech giant argued that the sales pause could adversely affect users relying on the watches’ safety and health features.

Apple, in an emailed statement, expressed strong disagreement with the order and outlined its commitment to exploring legal and technical avenues to ensure the availability of Apple Watch to customers. The company underscored its determination to take all necessary measures to swiftly return the affected models to U.S. customers should the ITC’s order persist.

An interim stay was granted, allowing Apple to resume the sale of the disputed products later in the same month, as reported by Bloomberg.

The root of the dispute lies in the accusation by California-based Masimo that Apple infringed on its patents related to blood-oxygen tracking technology. Apple introduced the blood oxygen feature with the launch of the Series 6 Apple Watch in 2020. Masimo filed a complaint in 2021, leading to the U.S. International Trade Commission’s issuance of orders in October that would prohibit Apple from importing and selling watches incorporating the blood oxygen feature.

Masimo, responding to the situation, emphasized that the decision to exclude specific foreign-made Apple Watch models underscores the principle that even a company as influential as Apple must adhere to the law. Masimo had previously launched its own smartwatch, prompting Apple to file two lawsuits accusing Masimo of patent infringement.

As the patent dispute continues to unfold, Apple’s strategic decision to remove blood-oxygen sensors from certain smartwatches reflects the complex interplay between technology companies and intellectual property concerns, highlighting the lengths to which these giants go to ensure their products remain in the market despite legal challenges. The resolution of this dispute will likely set important precedents in the tech industry’s ongoing struggle with patent-related issues.

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