Apple asked a group called the International Trade Commission (ITC) if they could put a planned ban on the new Apple Watches on hold. But the ITC said no to Apple in their decision on Wednesday.
The ITC does not want Apple to keep selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models. An earlier decision found that the heart rate and blood oxygen sensors in the watches copied designs owned by another company called Masimo.
Because of this, Apple will have to stop selling these new Apple Watch versions starting December 26th. Apple stores and the Apple website will stop letting people buy the watches after Christmas. Other stores like Best Buy can keep selling their leftover stocks of the watches for now.
Apple may ask another group called the President to take another look at the ban decision. The President will likely make a final call about the ban on December 25th. Apple is also working on updating the watch software as a possible way around the copy issues.
Even though the request to delay the ban was denied, Apple will keep trying other options like appealing or changing the software. But for now, the latest Apple Watches cannot be sold in the US starting later this month due to the trade ban decision. Customers will have to wait until next year to see if Apple can get the ban lifted.
