Apple has announced that it would halt sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States due to an ongoing patent dispute related to the blood oxygen feature on the devices, Reuters reports.
The dispute centers on allegations by medical technology company Masimo that Apple hired its employees, stole pulse oximetry technology, and incorporated it into the Apple Watch. This move follows a US International Trade Commission (ITC) order in October that could prevent Apple from importing Apple Watches, finding that they violate the patent rights of Masimo.
Apple stated that it is taking preemptive measures to comply with the ruling, pausing sales from its website starting December 21 and from retail locations after December 24. The ITC decision is currently under review by US President Joe Biden until December 25.
