The United States has recently placed a ban on importing certain versions of the Apple Watch, after finding that the devices could infringe on patents related to the device’s built-in pulse-reading technology.
The ban, which was announced by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), affects certain third-party models that allegedly copy the pulse-reading technology used in the Apple Watch. Specifically, the ITC found that these products use the “MFI-based” pulse-reading component often found in the Apple Watch.
The ITC believes that these third-party watches have purposely copied the Apple Watch in a way that breaches U.S. patent laws. The ITC notes that, “investigating staff has determined that a violation of section 337 [of the Tariff Act of 1930] has occurred within the meaning of 19 U.S.C. 1337.”
The ban prevents any third-party manufacturer from importing any of the affected Apple Watch models into the United States. It is unclear which specific models have been affected by the ITC’s decision. However, the ITC states that these watches are “manufactured abroad and not of United States origin.”
Apple has not issued a comment on the ITC’s decision, and it is unknown whether the company plans to take any legal action against the third-party manufacturers. Until then, consumers should be wary of any knock-off Apple Watches—which could potentially contain infringing pulse-reading components—that are being sold in the United States.
Ban Alert: U.S. Blocks Apple Watches with Patented Pulse Readers
