Apple avoids a second import ban for its redesigned smartwatches in latest court ruling
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| Source: Mastodon | Original article
Apple has won a court‑ordered stay that blocks a second U.S. import ban on its newly‑designed Apple Watch models. The ruling, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, lifts the restriction that would have taken effect on the day the company filed its appeal, allowing the watches to continue flowing into the United States while the International Trade Commission (ITC) reviews the case.
The dispute stems from a 2023 ITC order that barred the original Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches for allegedly infringing Masimo Corp.’s pulse‑oximetry patents. Apple responded by redesigning the sensors and launching the “Series 10” and “Ultra 3” in August 2025, arguing that the changes break the patent‑infringement chain. The ITC’s November 14 review order asked whether the redesign truly avoids Masimo’s claims, and set a decision deadline for 12 January. The appellate court’s stay means the redesign can be sold for the next two months, buying Apple time to prove its case.
The decision matters because the Apple Watch accounts for roughly 15 % of Apple’s hardware revenue and is a flagship platform for health monitoring, services integration and wearables competition. A second ban would have forced Apple to pull inventory, disrupt supply‑chain partners, and potentially cede market share to rivals such as Samsung and Garmin. It also signals how aggressively U.S. trade authorities will enforce patent‑related import restrictions on high‑tech devices.
What to watch next: the ITC’s final ruling on 12 January, which could either confirm the stay and clear the watches for unrestricted import or reinstate the ban, prompting another appeal. Investors will be keen on Apple’s Q2 earnings to see whether the watch segment’s sales remain robust, while industry observers will monitor whether the case sets a precedent for design‑by‑law‑avoidance strategies across the tech sector.
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