The media reported that Apple will stop selling the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States shortly before Christmas.
The tech giant is forced to stop selling the mentioned devices due to a patent dispute regarding a blood oxygen sensor. Two flagship Apple Watch models will be unavailable for purchase on virtual platforms from December 21. From December 24, sales of these devices will end in the physical stores of the technology giant. The relevant information was made public by the media.
The tech giant had to abandon sales of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 after the decision of the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued in October as part of a protracted patent dispute between Apple and the medical company Masimo regarding the blood oxygen sensor. The presidential deadline for consideration of this decision expires on December 25.
Masimo filed a lawsuit against Apple in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in early 2020. In June 2021, the company filed a lawsuit with the ITC. The second procced is because the firm was disappointed with the too-slow pace of the initial consideration of the case. Masimo has accused Apple of 103 patent infringement cases under five different patents. At the same time, ITC recorded violations of only two patents. In this case, the function of the Apple Watch pulse oximeter is implied.
The tech giant notes that the upcoming suspension of sales is evidence that the brand is taking preventive steps to comply with the ITC ruling if it remains in force.
Inexpensive Apple Watch SE, which is not equipped with a blood oxygen sensor, will remain on sale. The decision to stop sales does not apply to these devices.
The iPhone and Watch bring in most of the tech giant’s revenue. Obviously, the decision to stop sales will be a painful measure for Apple, which will lead to a deterioration in the financial performance of the company. Separately, it should be noted that the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 leave the market during the period of the highest level of consumer demand due to the celebration of Christmas. The company is forced to lose a significant part of its revenue.
It is still unknown when Apple will be able to resume sales of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. The company intends to appeal the ITC decision. The tech giant is unlikely to resume sales of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the foreseeable future.
Against the background of not the most pleasant news, the value of Apple shares in New York showed a decrease of 1.2%.
Currently, the activities of the technology giant are facing all sorts of obstacles. In addition to the forced suspension of sales of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, another problem was the restriction of iPhone use in China. So far, this practice has extended to state-owned organizations and companies supported by the Chinese government, but there are already signs of its expansion. Also, geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington are clouding the prospects for the tech giant’s activities in one of the world’s largest markets, leaving which will result in the loss of a significant portion of profits.
