The Biden administration has decided not to overrule a U.S. International Trade Commission decision that the Apple Watch infringes patents from medical device company AliveCor. The lack of action on the administration’s part could lead to an import ban on Apple’s popular smartwatch, depending on which way Apple’s appeal goes.
AliveCor said in a statement that it had been told the Biden administration would not overrule a December ITC decision that found that the Apple Watch’s ECG technology infringed AliveCor patents.
From AliveCor’s press release:
“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,” said Priya Abani, CEO of AliveCor. “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.”
The ITC’s ruling recommended a limited exclusion order and a cease-and-desist order for Apple Watch models with ECG features. If it is enforced, Apple would no longer be able to import new Apple Watch models into the U.S. that support the ECG app. Apple plans to appeal the ITC’s decision.
The US Patent and Trademark Office in December also invalidated some of AliveCor’s patents. The medical tech company says it will appeal the decision.
The Apple Watch patent infringement case is just one of the ongoing legal battles that rage between Apple and AliveCor, as AliveCor has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, and Apple has returned the favor, suing AliveCor for patent infringement.
(Via MacRumors)
