Image Credits: Darrell Etherington
Apple will be halting sales of its Series 9 smartwatch, The news, shared by 9to5Mac, follows an October ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC), owing to a patent dispute with California-based med tech firm, Masimo. The dispute stems from the blood sensor monitor on the latest flagship smart Watch.
The move goes into effect through the online Apple Store at 3 P.M. this Thursday (December 21), with retail locations ceasing sales December 24 — just ahead of the holiday. The 24th is also the last day for pickup and delivery of online orders.
Apple confirmed the move in a statement to TechCrunch this morning:
Apple will appeal the ruling, which it believes to be erroneous on the ITC’s part. The company also filed a pair of suits against Masimo in October of last year, alleging its own patent infringement. The company noted at the time, “Masimo has wrongly attempted to use the ITC to keep a potentially lifesaving product from millions of U.S. consumers while making way for their own watch that copies Apple.”
Masimo’s own complaint, which was initially focused on technology introduced with the Series 6, dates back to June 2021. The medical company stated that Apple, “began hiring Masimo employees, starting with Masimo’s Chief Medical Officer. In the Fall of 2020, Apple introduced the Series 6, manufactured in Asia.”
The primary dispute centers around pulse oximetry, which utilizes an optical sensor to detect blood flow. Last month Masimo received FDA clearance to use its own wrist-worn product for prescription and over-the-counter use.
