Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

U.S. Import Ban Hits Apple Watch: Samsung Eyes Smartwatch Market

Eugene Park Views  

President Biden has no veto power
Apple is anticipated to extend the dispute further during the appeal process

The U.S. government has upheld the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) import ban on Apple Watches due to patent infringement. Apple has promptly filed an appeal with the Federal Circuit Court, but the final verdict is anticipated to require some time. This unexpected development presents a golden opportunity for Samsung Electronics, a runner-up in the smartwatch market.

'특허침해' 애플워치 美 판매 중단 확정… 삼성 기회 잡나
Apple Watch Series 9. Photo provided by Apple

In a recent announcement, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has officially confirmed that, following extensive consultations, Representative Katherine Tai has chosen not to reverse the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) ruling. Consequently, the ITC’s decision to impose an import ban has reached its final stage and will remain unchanged. This decision by the ITC in October found Apple violating a patent held by the medical device company Masimo regarding blood oxygen measurement, resulting in a ban on importing these Apple products into the United States. As a result, sales of Apple Watches from countries outside the U.S., notably China, have encountered restrictions.

Apple was granted a 60-day grace period, during which it had hoped for President Joe Biden to consider employing his veto authority. This optimism stemmed from a previous instance in 2013 when then-President Obama overturned an ITC ruling that had found the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 in violation of patents held by Samsung Electronics. However, the dynamics of the current dispute, with Masimo being a U.S.-based company, introduced complexity to the situation. Consequently, Apple seemed to relinquish its expectations of a presidential veto and halted online sales of its latest Apple Watch model just before the Christmas holidays.

The affected Apple Watches encompass a range of models, including the latest Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and all iterations since the Apple Watch 6 that feature a blood oxygen measurement sensor. For these specific models, it’s worth noting that hardware repairs are no longer a viable option once the warranty period has elapsed. This is primarily due to Apple’s practice of replacing the entire product rather than repairing individual components in the event of hardware failures.

In response to the USTR decision, Apple has taken prompt action by filing an appeal with the Federal Circuit Court and simultaneously applying for a stay of execution. The court is slated to determine the stay of execution on January 12 of the upcoming year. Apple has opposed the import ban decision, emphatically stating its disagreement and underscoring its dedication to pursuing every possible option to ensure the continued availability of the Apple Watch for consumers.

However, many speculate that the chances of the stay of execution being granted remain low due to the ITC’s firm stance on the issue. The fact that Apple is not negotiating with Masimo is also worsening public opinion. Masimo has revealed that Apple approached them initially for technology cooperation and investment, took away their technology and personnel, and showed no willingness to negotiate during the patent lawsuit. Masimo is optimistic about reaching an agreement with Apple.

Samsung Electronics, a perennial second in the smartwatch market, has unexpectedly gained an opportunity at the end of the year. Market research firm TrendForce forecasts that the global smartwatch shipment in 2023 will reach 130 million units, with Apple and Samsung Electronics projected to hold market shares of 32% and 10%, respectively. Samsung Electronics is trying to narrow the market share gap with aggressive marketing, such as offering up to $80 discounts on the Galaxy Watch 6 series in North America.

By. Min Hyuk Yoon

Eugene Park
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[BUSINESS] Latest Stories

  • El Salvador's Bitcoin Reserves See $25 Million Surge After Trump’s Win
  • Who Is Susie Wiles? Meet Trump’s Loyal ‘Ice Baby’ and First Woman Chief of Staff
  • Trump’s 2nd Term Family Drama: Lara and Don Jr. Take Center Stage, Ivanka Steps Aside
  • Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Robot in Hot Dog Costume Stuns with Human-Like Skills
  • With $180M in Support, Musk Backs Trump’s Victory—And Makes It Meme-Worthy
  • Swifties and Celebrities Left Reeling After Trump’s Election Win

Weekly Best Articles

  • E30 M3 Returns: A Fresh Design Brings BMW’s Classic into the Future
  • Lexus LFA’s Legendary Successor: What to Expect from the Upcoming Supercar
  • Renault’s Eco-Friendly Emblème Promises 90% Lower Emissions, 621-Mile Range
  • Honda’s New Passport: Sleek Redesign and 10-Speed Automatic Transmission Coming Soon
  • Tesla’s New Model Y Juniper: Leaked Prototype Hints at Major 2025 Facelift
  • Mercedes-Benz CLA Gets a Chinese Heart—2.0-liter Turbo Gasoline Engine with 250 HP
  • Suzuki’s Grand Vitara Dominion Edition: Enhanced Exterior, Interior, and Hybrid Powertrains
  • 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: 326-HP Hybrid Engine Powers Off-Road Performance at $90K
  • NCT Dream Stars Share Hilarious Childhood Memories with Kim Jong Kook
  • Han Ji Min Dazzles Fans in All-White Winter Look—See Her Stunning Holiday Photos
  • Kim Jaejoong Breaks Down in Emotional Moment During Concert—Here’s Why
  • Rain Reveals His Luxurious Life—From Expensive Home Tech to Dream Bus Rides

You May Also Like

  • 1
    2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: 326-HP Hybrid Engine Powers Off-Road Performance at $90K

    TECH 

  • 2
    NCT Dream Stars Share Hilarious Childhood Memories with Kim Jong Kook

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Han Ji Min Dazzles Fans in All-White Winter Look—See Her Stunning Holiday Photos

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Kim Jaejoong Breaks Down in Emotional Moment During Concert—Here’s Why

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Rain Reveals His Luxurious Life—From Expensive Home Tech to Dream Bus Rides

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Is Dex the Ultimate Boyfriend? Seohyun Jin Thinks So!

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Is the Toyota Century SUV Worth the Price? Here’s What You Get for $273,000

    TECH 

  • 3
    Is the Toyota Rumion the Best Value Minivan You Can Buy? Here’s Why It Might Be

    TECH 

  • 4
    Lexus Reveals Sporty New ES Facelift with Aggressive Design Changes

    TECH 

  • 5
    2026 Toyota RAV4: Bigger, Bolder, and Hybrid-Only—Is It the Future of SUVs?

    TECH 

Weekly Best Articles

  • E30 M3 Returns: A Fresh Design Brings BMW’s Classic into the Future
  • Lexus LFA’s Legendary Successor: What to Expect from the Upcoming Supercar
  • Renault’s Eco-Friendly Emblème Promises 90% Lower Emissions, 621-Mile Range
  • Honda’s New Passport: Sleek Redesign and 10-Speed Automatic Transmission Coming Soon
  • Tesla’s New Model Y Juniper: Leaked Prototype Hints at Major 2025 Facelift
  • Mercedes-Benz CLA Gets a Chinese Heart—2.0-liter Turbo Gasoline Engine with 250 HP
  • Suzuki’s Grand Vitara Dominion Edition: Enhanced Exterior, Interior, and Hybrid Powertrains
  • 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: 326-HP Hybrid Engine Powers Off-Road Performance at $90K
  • NCT Dream Stars Share Hilarious Childhood Memories with Kim Jong Kook
  • Han Ji Min Dazzles Fans in All-White Winter Look—See Her Stunning Holiday Photos
  • Kim Jaejoong Breaks Down in Emotional Moment During Concert—Here’s Why
  • Rain Reveals His Luxurious Life—From Expensive Home Tech to Dream Bus Rides

Must-Reads

  • 1
    2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: 326-HP Hybrid Engine Powers Off-Road Performance at $90K

    TECH 

  • 2
    NCT Dream Stars Share Hilarious Childhood Memories with Kim Jong Kook

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Han Ji Min Dazzles Fans in All-White Winter Look—See Her Stunning Holiday Photos

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Kim Jaejoong Breaks Down in Emotional Moment During Concert—Here’s Why

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Rain Reveals His Luxurious Life—From Expensive Home Tech to Dream Bus Rides

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Is Dex the Ultimate Boyfriend? Seohyun Jin Thinks So!

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Is the Toyota Century SUV Worth the Price? Here’s What You Get for $273,000

    TECH 

  • 3
    Is the Toyota Rumion the Best Value Minivan You Can Buy? Here’s Why It Might Be

    TECH 

  • 4
    Lexus Reveals Sporty New ES Facelift with Aggressive Design Changes

    TECH 

  • 5
    2026 Toyota RAV4: Bigger, Bolder, and Hybrid-Only—Is It the Future of SUVs?

    TECH 

Share it on...