The Apple Watch is one step closer to a ban in the United States after President Biden’s administration upheld Apple’s infringements.
As of today, the International Trade Commission’s Limited Exclusion Order (LEO) on Apple Watches infringing on AliveCor, a medical device company, patents became the first-ever LEO against Apple to clear Presidential review.
This news follows on from the ITC’s ruling in December that the Apple Watch infringes AliveCor patents regarding the electrocardiogram technology used in Apple’s latest smartwatches. The ITC also ruled on a cease and desist order, which if enforced, would prevent Apple from importing any Apple Watch into the United States for sale.
Responding to the confirmation of the Presidential review clearance, Priya Abani, CEO of AliveCor. said, “We applaud President Biden for upholding the ITC's ruling and holding Apple accountable for infringing the patents that underpin our industry-leading ECG technology,”
"This decision goes beyond AliveCor and sends a clear message to innovators that the U.S. will protect patents to build and scale new technologies that benefit consumers."
So long, dear friend?
This now means that we have reached an unprecedented stage of a small company going against a huge powerhouse in the tech industry like Apple. With the decision of The White House to not intervene and prevent the ITC’s ruling from progressing there is a real possibility that the Apple Watch is banned in the United States.
In a statement in December, Apple previously said "While we firmly disagree with the ITC's decision [in December], we are pleased that the exclusion order has been put on pause, consistent with past precedent. The patents on which AliveCor’s case rest have been found invalid, and for that reason, we should ultimately prevail in this matter." This refers to a Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruling in favor of Apple, AliveCor's case is based on two patents that have since been found to be invalid. As a result, an exclusion action means any such ruling wouldn't have a practical impact on Apple Watch until the PTAB case is heard.
Apple told iMore that it plans to appeal the ITC's original decision, and has submitted lots of evidence to show a decision to ban Apple Watch would be bad for the public, including letters from over 500 Apple Watch users who have had their lives saved by the device.
The LEO will go into effect upon resolution of all appeals in the case, including AliveCor’s appeal of the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s decision that found the asserted patents unpatentable. This means that there are still twists and turns to this story as Apple is likely to use its seemingly unlimited lobbying power to protect Apple Watch sales in the U.S.
We’ll be watching with a huge interest in the coming weeks as the future of Apple’s immensely popular smartwatches comes under severe threat.
