Apple has filed an appeal after the Biden administration authorized a ban on smartwatches.

According to Apple, a decision from the US Customs Office is expected on January 12.

Apple on Tuesday filed an appeal to overturn Massimo's patent-infringing ban on imports of the Apple Watch, requesting that the ban be stayed until the United States U.S. Customs and Border Protection has yet to decide whether the redesigned watches infringe on Massimo's patents.

 Fox Business reported that the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) issued an order on Tuesday banning the import and sale of Apple Watches that contain blood oxygen sensing technology by the Massimo. Protected by patent.

 The tech giant has been using the technology in smartwatches since its Series 6 model in 2020, despite allegations from Massimo that the company is laying off staff.

 The court also stopped the import and sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

 The Biden administration opted against vetoing the decision, effectively allowing the sanctions to remain in place.

 Apple said the customs office is expected to make its decision on January 12.

 "The ITC's decision is a watershed moment for America as a guardian of innovation and a protector of inventors' rights," a Massimo spokesperson told Fox Business.

 

"We strongly disagree with the USITC's decision and the resulting exclusion order, and are taking all steps to return the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to consumers in the United States as soon as possible," Apple said in a statement. are."

 

While the US Trade Representative (USTR) was still reviewing the ITC's decision, Apple took early compliance steps and last week stopped selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches on its website and at the company's retail locations. gave

 As of Tuesday, Reuters reported that although Apple has stopped selling the watches, some other stores are still selling them.

 The patent issue does not affect Apple Watch models that continue to be sold without a blood oxygen sensor, such as the less expensive Apple Watch SE.

 

The ban will not apply to watches that have already been sold.

 

Earlier, former US President Barack Obama's administration lifted an import ban on Apple's iPhones and iPads in 2013 following a patent battle with Samsung.