Apple to ITC: Apple Watch Import Ban Could 'Put Lives at Risk’

Banning imports of the Apple Watch for Tariff Act Section 337 violations, as an administrative law judge at the International Trade Commission is recommending for infringing two AliveCor electrocardiogram patents (see 2207140030), “will broadly harm public interest,” commented Apple Thursday in docket 337-TA-1266. “These smartwatches are an important part of many consumers’ daily lives, including millions who rely on them to monitor their individual health and welfare,” it said. An ITC exclusion order “could literally put lives at risk and impede crucial medical research,” said Apple. “Public interest considerations compel the Commission to invoke its Section 337 authority to refrain from issuing remedial orders here,” it said. If the ITC imposes an import ban, it should at least “be delayed by a transition period” and include an exemption for warranty service, repairs and replacements, it said. "It would take significant time to replace Apple Watch in the event of the extraordinary supply shock that would be caused by an exclusion order," said Apple.