The Biden administration let stand on Tuesday the U.S. Worldwide Commerce Fee’s ban of imports of Apple Watches stemming from a patent dispute over the units’ blood oxygen monitor. The choice goes into impact Tuesday.

The expertise large mentioned final week it was “preemptively taking steps to conform” in case the ITC ruling held up, by halting gross sales of the units in focus. The pause included the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2. 

The authorized dispute stems from the blood oxygen function within the units, which permits Apple Watch customers to measure the extent of oxygen of their blood. Low blood oxygen ranges can result in critical well being issues, in accordance to Cleveland Clinic. 

Apple’s choice got here after the ITC dominated that the tech large had illegally used blood oxygen expertise from Masimo, a medical tech firm, within the units and ordered Apple to cease importing them.

Apple mentioned in an announcement Tuesday, “We strongly disagree with the USITC choice and ensuing exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Apple Watch Extremely 2 to clients within the U.S. as quickly as attainable.”

Apple appealed the ban Tuesday.

Masimo did not instantly return requests from CBS Information for remark.

Whereas a presidential panel reviewed the ITC’s order, Apple preemptively pulled the units in case the panel upheld the choice. 

“After cautious consultations, Ambassador [Katherine] Tai determined to not reverse the ITC’s dedication and the ITC’s choice turned ultimate on December 26, 2023,” the U.S. Commerce Consultant mentioned in a Tuesday assertion.

Apple started together with the heart beat oximeter function in its good watches with its Sequence 6 mannequin in 2020.

The ban would not cowl the less expensive Apple Watch SE, or different beforehand bought watches.