Apple has secured a temporary reprieve in the patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo over SpO2 (blood oxygen level) sensors in Apple Watches. The ban on selling Apple Watches featuring SpO2 sensors in the US has been temporarily halted, allowing Apple to resume sales through its stores until the next hearing scheduled for January 12, 2024.
The ban was initially imposed following a patent dispute, prompting Apple to pull the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 from its online and offline stores. Third-party retailers were permitted to continue sales until their stocks ran out. With the temporary stay on the ban, Apple can now continue selling its latest watches, and the outcome will be determined in the upcoming court hearing.
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted the temporary halt, providing Apple with an opportunity to demonstrate changes made to the Apple Watch that could potentially address the patent dispute with Masimo. The decision at the next hearing will determine the future of Apple’s ability to sell smartwatches equipped with SpO2 sensors in the US market.
