Apple Watch is dropping its blood oxygen feature altogether in an effort to avoid the US import ban on its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, 9to5Mac reported.
The US Customs and Border Protection has supposedly approved the changes happening on the Apple Watches, ruling that the redesign "falls outside the scope" of the import restrictions.
The International Trade Commission has previously imposed an import ban on Apple Watch after ruling its "pulse oximetry features" have been infringing Masimo's patented technology.
The ban was later lifted as Apple prepared to change the affected watches to skirt around the ITC ruling. The changes will only apply inside the US.
As of writing, the blood oxygen readings will remain for Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US while the Federal court decides during the ITC's appeal period.
Also Read: Apple Targets Long-Term Software Fix to Avoid Patent-Infringement, Sales Ban
US Court to Decide on Apple Watch Ban
Today, Jan. 15, is actually the last day both parties submit their appeals to the court ruling. Once submitted, the US Court of Appeals will decide whether to maintain the ITC ban.
The ITC has already expressed its opposition to lifting the ban on Apple, claiming that the tech giant's arguments "amount to little more than an indisputably adjudicated infringer."
Masimo also opposed the Custom's decision, claiming that it undermines Apple's arguments, would hurt the medical tech firm's businesses, and "demoralize" its scientists and engineers.
Masimo filed the patent infringement case against Apple in 2020, accusing it of stealing its former employees and engineers for its blood oxygen reader technology.
Related Article: Masimo CEO Pushes Better Changes for Apple With Patent Infringement Case
Apple Watches Still on US Market
While both parties are waiting for the Court of Appeals decision, the affected Apple watches continue to be sold across the tech giant's stores across the US.
The watches, complete with its blood oxygen feature, can still be bought before supplies run out or the ban is imposed again.
Models released before the ban can also be acquired via retail stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
