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Oura vs Ultrahuman: Smart Ring Patent War Intensifies as US ITC Finds in Favor of Oura


Updated: May 02, 2025 11:19

Image Source: WearableXP:
The patent battle between Finnish healthtech company Oura and Indian startup Ultrahuman, and Chinese brand RingConn, has become decisive. A US International Trade Commission (ITC) judge has ordered both Ultrahuman and RingConn to have violated Oura's patented smart ring technology, possibly resulting in a US import ban. The order could make a huge difference to the worldwide smart ring market. Here is the detailed rundown:
 
Legal Win for Oura:
  • The US ITC judge held that Ultrahuman and RingConn infringed Oura's patents, specifically in hardware design, sensor integration, and signal processing algorithms.
  • The judgment has the potential to shut out imports of Ultrahuman and RingConn rings into the US, an important market for biometric wearables.
Patent Infringement Claims:
  • Oura alleged that Ultrahuman and RingConn reverse-engineered its smart ring by buying and dissecting retail units.
  • The firm asserts that all aspects of its patented technology were replicated by its competitors.
Ultrahuman's Controversial Defense:
  • Ultrahuman purportedly presented fake evidence, such as claims of having a manufacturing plant in Texas, which was subsequently discovered to be fictitious.
  • The judge rejected Ultrahuman's defense, citing that Oura was the sole party to provide a credible witness.
Impact on the Smart Ring Market:
  • If the ruling holds, Ultrahuman and RingConn will either have to retool their products or leave the US market altogether.
  • The ruling serves to further establish Oura's dominance in the smart ring space, while rivals are beset by legal and operational issues.
Future Outlook:
The ITC's final determination is due out in the months ahead, which will decide if the import ban will be put into effect.
Ultrahuman is said to be negotiating with WestBridge Capital for a fresh round of funding following the collapse of talks with SoftBank.
This court fight reflects the cutthroat competition in the wearable technology space, with firms battling to save their inventions and business.
 
Sources: Economic Times, MSN, Android Central

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