Explainer-What is next after pause of US Apple Watch import ban?
By Blake Brittain
(Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday temporarily paused a ruling that had restricted imports of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s popular Apple Watches into the United States.
Here is a look at what the case means for consumers and what is next for Apple.
Why was the ban imposed?
The U.S. International Trade Commission in October ordered Apple to stop importing and selling some Apple Watches following a complaint from medical-monitoring technology company Masimo (NASDAQ:MASI).
The ITC, a federal agency that handles international trade disputes, found that an Apple Watch feature for reading blood-oxygen levels infringed on Masimo's pulse oximetry patents.
President Joe Biden's administration had until Dec. 25 to veto the order based on public policy concerns but did not do so.
Cupertino, California-based Apple had preemptively paused U.S. sales of its latest high-end Series 9 and Ultra 2 models ahead of the Christmas Day deadline.
Apple appealed the ban to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington. The court halted the ban on Wednesday while it considers the company's request for a longer-term pause during the appeals process.
How are U.S. Apple Watch sales affected?
Wednesday's decision allows Apple to continue importing and selling infringing Apple Watches while the court considers whether to put the ban on hold for the duration of the appeals process.
Apple said in a statement that Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches would be back on sale in Apple Stores starting on Wednesday and through Apple's website on Thursday.
The ITC's order does not affect the lower-priced Apple Watch SE, which does not have pulse-oximetry capabilities.
The ITC decision says it applies only to Apple Watches with
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