Smart Ring Wars: Oura Sues Ultrahuman Again

Oura has once again sued its Indian competitor, Ultrahuman, alleging patent infringement by Ultrahuman's Ring Pro smart ring. This new complaint, filed in a Texas federal court, seeks to prevent Ultrahuman from selling its product in the United States. Oura claims the Ring Pro infringes two patents covering the ring's design and internal elements, such as its battery and sensors. This legal battle is the latest in a series of patent disputes Oura has initiated against other smart ring manufacturers.

Ultrahuman's redesigned Ring Pro had recently returned to the U.S. market in February after a favorable ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in March. This decision came after an import ban on Ultrahuman's earlier Ring Air, which was imposed following a patent infringement ruling against the company last August. Oura asserts that the recent Customs ruling only addressed the patent from the prior dispute and did not cover the two patents now cited in the latest lawsuit.

The complaint also names SVTronics, a Texas-based manufacturer, as a defendant, alleging it produces the Ring Pro in Plano, Texas, under Ultrahuman's control. Both companies are accused of infringing Oura's patents through the manufacturing, import, and sale of the device. Oura has been in patent disputes with Ultrahuman since 2023, and has also pursued similar claims against other smart ring makers like Samsung and RingConn, some of which have resulted in licensing agreements.

The smart ring market is experiencing growth, with global shipments expected to increase significantly in the coming years. This lawsuit comes shortly after Oura postponed its planned $2.2 billion IPO due to market uncertainty. Ultrahuman, meanwhile, recently secured substantial funding and is collaborating with Qualcomm on future smart ring development, aiming to expand beyond health tracking.