The Biden Administration Has Not Vetoed ITC's Decision On The Prohibition Of Apple Watch Series 9 And Ultra 2 Sales

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are prohibited from being sold in the US (photo: dock. Apple)

JAKARTA Apple's opportunity to maintain sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 has been lost. The reason is, the White House agrees that two Apple devices have violated patents.

On December 26, the International Trade Commission (ITC) said that the administration of US President Joe Biden refused to lift the ban issued by ITC, which prohibits the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US.

In a report quoted 9to5mac, the ITC said that, "After careful consultation, Ambassador total Tai decided not to cancel ITC's decision."

Although Apple has started withdrawing Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 from Apple Store and Apple's online stores in the US on Monday, December 25, the company still objected to the decision.

We strongly disagree with USITC's decision and the resulting exclusion order. We (will) take all measures to return the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible," Apple explained to 9to5mac.

ITC first issued a ban on imports to the US last October after declaring that Apple's two smartwatches violated Masimo's patent, a medical technology company, for possessing a light-based pulsation oximeter sensor.

While waiting for a decision from the Biden administration, Apple had tried to suspend ITC's decision on the termination of sales. However, on Thursday, December 21, ITC rejected Apple's suspension of sales.

Currently, Apple is still struggling to keep two of its devices in the US. Reportedly, Apple will appeal the ITC's decision to the US Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit, but it is not yet known when this appeal will be filed.