After a patent dispute with medical machine maker Masimo, Apple is eradicating the heartbeat oximeter perform from its newest smartwatches to keep away from a US import ban. The tech large briefly halted gross sales of the Apple Watch Collection 9 and Extremely 2 final month after a commerce fee ruling, however a courtroom allowed momentary gross sales. To elevate the everlasting ban, Apple agreed to deactivate the contested characteristic.

Masimo accused Apple of infringing on its mental property by utilizing their know-how and expertise to create the heartbeat oximeter perform. Although a patent lawsuit failed, the Worldwide Commerce Fee (ITC) sided with Masimo, resulting in the import ban. US Customs and Border Safety permitted eradicating the characteristic to permit Apple to renew gross sales.

In response to The New York Occasions, the Worldwide Commerce Fee present in October that a number of Apple Watches had infringed on patents held by Masimo, a medical know-how firm in Irvine, California, that helped pioneer some pulse oximeter know-how. It issued a ban on the import of Apple’s watches, that are made in Asia.

“We strongly disagree with the choice,” an Apple spokeswoman stated in a press release.

Beginning Thursday, Apple Watch Collection 9 and Extremely 2 fashions with out the heartbeat oximeter will likely be out there on-line and in shops. Whereas the app icon for the characteristic stays, tapping it informs customers it is unavailable.

The ruling impacts Apple Watch’s world market share, estimated at 25% by Counterpoint Analysis. Apple disagrees with the choice and seeks its reversal. Present Apple Watches and people offered outdoors the US are unaffected.