Appeals court clears the way for US sales ban on two Apple Watch models to be revived Thursday

A federal appeals court has decided to revive a U.S. sales ban on Apple’s premium watches while it referees a patent dispute revolving around a sensor. The ruling raises the specter that Apple will pull the devices from stores for the second time in less than a month. The appeals court ruling issued Wednesday comes three weeks after it blocked the ban. That temporary stay enabled Apple to renew sales of the two internet-connected watch models, the Series 9 and Ultra 2, embroiled in an intellectual-property fight with medical technology company Masimo. Now the U.S. sales ban on those Apple Watches is scheduled to take effect 2 p.m. Pacific Time Thursday.