Apple is now banned from promoting its newest Apple Watches within the US

Apple can not promote the Watch Collection 9 and Watch Extremely 2 within the US after President Joe Biden’s administration declined to veto the ban in the present day.

Apple pulled each units from its web site on December twenty first and from its retailer cabinets after December twenty fourth. A press release (by way of CNBC) from the Workplace of US Commerce Consultant Katherine Tai mentioned the company “determined to not reverse the ITC’s [International Trade Commission] dedication” after “cautious consideration.”

In an announcement printed by Reuters, an unnamed Apple spokesperson confirmed it’s interesting the ITC determination and mentioned: “We strongly disagree with the USITC determination and ensuing exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Collection 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 to clients within the U.S. as quickly as attainable.”

The ITC issued the ban after discovering that Apple infringed on blood oxygen saturation expertise patented by an organization referred to as Masimo. It additionally ordered Apple to cease promoting any previously-imported units with the infringed-upon tech. Whereas Apple tried to dam the choice whereas awaiting an enchantment, the ITC denied Apple’s request, and the opposite likelihood of intervention was a veto from President Joe Biden, which did not occur.

The ban solely impacts Apple shops within the US. Meaning clients can nonetheless get their fingers on a Watch Collection 9 or Watch Extremely 2 at Greatest Purchase, Goal, and different retailers whereas provides final. Apple will even proceed promoting the Watch SE, because it doesn’t include a blood oxygen sensor.

Nonetheless, it’s not clear the place Apple will go from right here. My colleague Victoria Music explores the assorted paths Apple might take, together with making software program adjustments to the blood oxygen sensor on each watches or disabling the sensor on imported units. However each of these strategies won’t be sufficient to fulfill the ITC, which is why Apple might all the time select to settle with Masimo as a substitute.

Replace December twenty sixth, 11:10AM ET: Added assertion and enchantment.