U.S. Lifts Ban on Imports of Latest Apple Watch

BBC News reports the U.S.’s trade body had barred imports and sales of Apple watches with technology for reading blood-oxygen levels, because of a patent row. Device maker Masimo had accused Apple of poaching its staff and technology.

It comes after the White House declined to overturn a ban on sales and imports of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches which came into effect December 26. Apple had said it “strongly disagrees” with the ruling.

The iPhone maker made an emergency request to the U.S. Court of Appeals, which proved successful in getting the ban lifted.

Apple had asked for a stay on the ban until Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could consider whether the redesigned versions of its watches, which do not include the disputed technology, violated Masimo’s patents.