Apple smartwatches ads are displayed as customers take a take a look at smartwatch accessories on the Apple store in Recent York, U.S., December 26, 2023.
Eduardo Munoz | Reuters
Apple will have the opportunity to sell the most recent Apple Watches after an import ban was temporarily paused by an appeals court on Wednesday, in a serious victory for the iPhone maker.
Apple said in a press release that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models might be on sale at Apple’s stores on Wednesday and that they might be available online starting Thursday.
“We’re thrilled to return the complete Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the brand new 12 months,” an Apple spokesperson said in a press release. “Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, including the blood oxygen feature, will grow to be available for purchase again in the US at Apple Stores starting today and from apple.com tomorrow by 12pm PT.”
Apple stopped selling its Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches last week in stores and online in response to an International Trade Commission order in October that found the blood oxygen sensor within the devices had infringed on mental property from Masimo, a medical technology company that sells to hospitals.
“The motion for an interim stay is granted to the extent that the Remedial Orders are temporarily stayed,” a court filing Wednesday said.
On Monday, the Biden administration declined to pause the ITC ban. Apple filed the appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Tuesday. The corporate continues to hunt an extended stay. The ITC might want to reply by Jan. 10. Apple said on Wednesday that it had submitted redesigned Apple Watch models for customs approval that might negate the ban.
The stay means Apple may have the opportunity to sell the most recent models of one in all its most significant products throughout the busiest time of the 12 months. Apple Watch sales are reported as a part of Apple’s wearables business, which reported $39.8 billion in sales in fiscal 2023, which led to September. Ultimately, Apple was unable to directly sell a couple of Apple Watch models within the U.S. for a period of days.
The sales pause didn’t affect the Apple Watch SE, an older model that can’t read blood oxygen levels. The newest Apple Watch models also continued to be available from retailers like Best Buy or Amazon so long as that they had stock.
Masimo shares fell greater than 4% on Wednesday. Apple’s stock was flat.
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