TECH NEWS – Apple stops the American selling of Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches after losing several necessary patent rights…

Apple Inc. is halting sales of the latest versions of its smartwatches in the United States due to a patent dispute. That’s taking some of the best-selling devices out of circulation during the busy holiday season.

According to Monday’s statement, the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will stop in the company’s online store on December 21 and in physical retail locations from Christmas Eve.

According to Masimo Corp., the company is preparing for the imminent ban of Apple Watch models equipped with a blood oxygen sensor it invented – a feature that first entered the product line in 2020. In October, the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple was infringing Masimo’s patents. Therefore, they should stop selling the infringing devices. The patents cover how the watches calculate the oxygen saturation of a person’s blood.

A presidential review of this order is currently underway. “While the review period will not end until December 25, Apple is preemptively taking steps to comply should the ruling stand,” the company said.

Health features have become an increasingly important selling point for the Apple Watch. Thus, the company entered into competition with manufacturers of medical devices. Masimo, based in Irvine, California, sells a range of healthcare technologies.

Masimo said in a statement that the ban “demonstrates that even the world’s most powerful company must abide by the law.”

The Series 9 and Ultra 2 models account for the vast majority of the company’s watch sales. The company does not disclose how much revenue the product line brings. But it’s a core part of the Wearables, Home and Accessories business, generating more than $40 billion annually.

Analysts estimate that the Apple Watch alone will bring in about $17 billion in fiscal 2023, which ends in September. The stoppage of sales also affects some older models. Among them is the Series 8, which Apple continues to sell in refurbished condition on its website. The blood oxygen measurement function was first introduced in the Watch Series 6 model.

The news, which was previously reported by 9to5Mac, sent the company’s shares down 1.6% in New York on Monday. The stock hit a record high last week. Masimo could gain up to 5.7%.

Source: Reuters