In a recent development, US Customs and Border Protection has granted approval for Apple to implement a redesign aimed at circumventing the import ban imposed on certain Apple Watch models.
The ban was instigated as a result of an ongoing patent infringement dispute with medical-monitoring technology company Masimo. The decision, disclosed in a court filing on Monday, signifies a potential reprieve for Apple in its legal battle.
Legal Battle Unveiled
The import ban, initially imposed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) on Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches, took effect on December 26.
However, Apple swiftly secured a pause on the ban from the US appeals court the following day, allowing the company to resume sales of the watches while actively challenging the import ruling.
Central to Apple’s argument for a redesign was the assertion that it could address the alleged patent infringement on blood-oxygen reading technology owned by Masimo.
While Apple has not divulged specifics about the proposed redesign, it is suggested that it may involve updates to the watches’ software.
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Masimo Accuses Apple of Unlawful Recruitment and Technology Misappropriation
The decision by the customs agency is contingent on the ITC’s concurrence; if the ITC disagrees, the approval may be overruled. The legal dispute stems from Masimo’s allegations that Apple unlawfully recruited its employees and misappropriated its pulse oximetry technology for use in Apple Watches.
In response, Apple has countersued, characterizing Masimo’s legal actions as an attempt to clear a path for its own competing smartwatch.
As the patent dispute continues, the approval of Apple’s proposed redesign introduces a strategic dimension to the legal maneuvering between the tech giant and Masimo.
The outcome will not only impact the availability of the contested Apple Watch models but may also set a precedent in the broader realm of intellectual property disputes within the technology sector.
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