Apple has ceased sales of its latest Apple Watch models in the United States following President Joe Biden’s decision not to enact an emergency measure to allow the continued sale of the popular smartwatch.
The decision came as President Biden did not act by the end of Christmas Day to overturn a ruling by the US International Trade Commission.
This ruling barred the sale of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, among other recent models, due to patent infringement issues.
In October, the US International Trade Commission found that Apple infringed on a patent related to pulse oximetry technology, owned by medical device manufacturer Masimo.
This technology uses light to measure blood oxygen levels, a feature present in the affected Apple Watch models.
Despite the ruling, other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are still selling their existing inventory of Apple Watches both in stores and online. However, the ITC’s decision restricts Apple from importing more units of these smartwatches into the United States.
The Apple Watch, widely marketed as a life-saving device, has become the world’s best-selling watch.
In anticipation of the enforcement of the ITC’s ruling, Apple started removing the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions of the Apple Watch from its stock on December 18. With no intervention from President Biden, the 60-day review period of the ITC’s decision concluded on Monday.
Apple expressed strong disagreement with the order and announced its intent to explore various legal and technical routes to ensure the availability of the Apple Watch for customers. At the time, the company stated its commitment to “take all measures” necessary to make the Apple Watch available again to US consumers soon..
