A federal appeals court ordered Apple to freeze sales of its latest smartwatch models in the United States on Wednesday due to a patent dispute with health business Masimo.
The ban on some Apple smartwatch models will take effect on Thursday, as the iPhone giant is instructed to await the outcome of its appeal.
Masimo, based in southern California, filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), which decided in October to stop imports of Apple Watch models due to a patented method for sensing blood oxygen levels.
A court temporarily lifted the ban last month.
Apple manufactures the great majority of its products overseas, mostly in China, hence the ITC has jurisdiction over the patent dispute.
Apple is reportedly removing the technology from the Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, which Masimo has welcomed.
Masimo claims it pioneered the technology and that Apple recruited key personnel to have access to the know-how.
However, the iPhone maker claims that the ITC judgment was incorrect and should be reversed, and it has filed an appeal in federal court.
The wait for that decision could reportedly last a year or more.
Masimo and Apple did not immediately reply to a query from AFP.