Apple pauses US sales of two watch models over patent dispute

Sales of Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches affected amid dispute with Masimo over technology behind blood oxygen feature

Apple said on Monday it would pause sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States from this week, as it deals with a patent dispute over the technology that enables the blood oxygen feature on the devices.

The move comes after an order in October from the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that could bar Apple from importing its Apple Watches after finding the devices violate the medical technology company Masimo’s patent rights.