Apple's hopes of bringing the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 back to US shelves have been dashed, as the Biden administration declined to veto an import and sales ban on the wearables. This follows a patent infringement ruling in October, siding with medical-tech company Masimo over Apple's blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring technology.

Key Highlights:

• Declined Appeal: The Biden administration chose not to overturn the US International Trade Commission's (ITC) ruling that Apple's SpO2 sensors infringe on Masimo patents.
• Ongoing Fight: Apple is appealing the ban in federal court and seeking a temporary stay while it designs new sensors.
• Limited Impact: The ban only affects Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models with SpO2 sensors, not the budget-friendly Watch SE.

Patent Dispute: The saga began in October when the ITC ruled that Apple's SpO2 technology violated patents held by Masimo. This prompted Apple to temporarily halt US sales of the affected watches.

Presidential Review: Under US law, President Biden had 60 days to review the ITC decision and potentially veto it. However, on December 26, the White House announced its decision not to intervene.

Apple's Response: Undeterred, Apple immediately filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The company is also requesting a temporary stay on the ban, hoping to continue sales at least until it revises its sensor design by January 12.

Limited Scope: Importantly, the ban only applies to Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models with SpO2 sensors. The popular Watch SE, which lacks this feature, remains unaffected and available for purchase.

Future Uncertain: The legal battle is far from over, and it remains uncertain as to when or if Apple will be able to return its high-end watches to the American market. This case illustrates the multifaceted nature of relations between technological innovation and intellectual property rights.