Apple can now resume selling the latest versions of Apple Watches after a temporary import ban was blocked due to a late appeal to the U.S. International Trade Commission.
On Tuesday, Apple appealed the October ruling of the ITC, which had prohibited the importation of the tech giant’s newest watches. The ban was halted by the commission on Wednesday, allowing for sales to resume.
In its appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Tuesday, Apple stated that the import ban would negatively impact the company. Apple expects to make changes to the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 in the coming days, which will then be reviewed by U.S. Customs authorities.
Prior to Monday, Apple had already removed the affected models from its online and physical stores. After President Biden chose not to overrule the ITC’s ruling on Monday, there were concerns of an Apple Watch shortage. However, the new court ruling states that the ITC cannot enforce the ban until Apple’s appeal has been considered.
In October, the ITC ruled that Apple had violated federal law by using patented blood-oxygen reading technology in its Apple Watch products without proper compensation to the patent holder, Masimo. Masimo claimed that Apple intentionally used their technology without proper compensation.