Federal court suspends Apple Watch ban pending appeal

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted the extensive ban on importing Apple's newest smartwatches while a patent dispute is resolved in the legal system. Apple filed for an emergency appeal motion on Tuesday, seeking a temporary stay on a ruling by the US International Trade Commission. This ruling had gone into effect this week, blocking Apple from importing the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, along with other newer models, due to patent infringement claims from another company.

The Biden White House had until the end of Christmas Day to reverse the ban, but the office of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai confirmed on Tuesday that the White House would not interfere.

The temporary block by the appeals court on the ITC's order will allow the U.S. Customs department to review Apple's redesign of the offending Apple Watch models, with the fix expected to be completed by January 12. In a statement on Tuesday, the company expressed concern that it could "suffer irreparable harm" if the ban remains in place while the appeal is ongoing.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.