Apple to Challenge Continued Apple Watch Ban After White House Declines Reversal

The White House has upheld the ban on Apple Watch sales, prompting Apple to announce its intention to challenge the decision it vehemently disagrees with.

To summarize, the dispute involves a patent clash between Apple and Masimo, resulting in a prohibition on the sale of Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models in the US. This directive extends beyond Apple’s direct sales and impacts third-party retailers as imports have been ceased.

Despite the 60-day window for the White House to intervene passing without action, the ruling from the International Trade Commission (ITC) remains unaltered, closing Apple’s door to avoiding the ban.

The United States Trade Representative Ambassador, Katherine Tai’s office, announced the decision not to overturn the ITC’s ruling after thorough deliberations. This outcome marks the culmination of Apple’s efforts to prevent the ban.

Expressing strong disagreement, Apple articulated its commitment to challenging the decision and seeking means to revoke the ban through an official appeal. Emphasizing the impactful features benefiting millions of users, Apple emphasized its dedication to original innovations.

The timeline for the resolution remains uncertain. However, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the US is set to determine on January 12 whether modified versions of the watches, excluding the disputed components, can be reintroduced for sale.

Amidst this scenario, repair and replacement services remain unaffected for devices under warranty or AppleCare. Apple aims to restore normalcy promptly, underscoring the ongoing developments in this contentious issue.