Oura scores the final legal victory over Ultrahuman and RingConn in the patent dispute. The US International Trade Commission ruled that both smart ring brands infringed on Oura’s patent tech to develop their own smart rings. The commission issued cease-and-desist orders. This means both brands are banned from importing and selling their smart rings in the US. This gives Oura more dominance in the wearable space.
Ultrahuman and RingConn smart rings are banned in the US
The cease-and-desist order will take effect 60 days after the decision’s publication, i.e., August 21st, and its submission to the Office of the US Trade Representative. The Oura spokesperson says this may come this week. This comes after the International Trade Commission inclined towards Oura in a ruling back in April. It said that both brands infringed on Oura’s patent to develop the form factor of their smart wearables.
“This ruling establishes at the most rigorous levels of review that Oura’s patents are valid and enforceable, and reinforces not only the strength of Oura’s patents but our long-term IP strategy,” said Oura in a blog post.
Next-gen Ultrahuman wearable is in development
In a statement to ZDNET, Oura spokesperson said that both products were copying “every element of every asserted claim of Oura’s patent.” Responding to the ruling, Ultrahuman said that it’s doubling down on compliance while also pushing the development of its next-generation ring with a new architecture. It believes that restricting competition means fewer choices for consumers, “higher prices, and slow innovation.” Ultrahuman added that consumers can purchase the Ring Air until October 21st.
On the day of the ITC ruling (August 21st), Ultrahuman announced to take Oura to court in India. It alleges that the brand copied its patents for sensors, construction, and onboard processes. However, the lawsuit didn’t stand as Ultrahuman did not disclose the ITC’s determinations in its suit.
“The ITC Final Determination was released after we filed the DHC case, and the Court would like us to add more detail and clarify why it is not relevant to the case (it is not relevant because the patents and the jurisdictions are not related),” said an Ultrahuman representative in an email to ZDNET. The company plans to re-file shortly with the required clarification.
The smart rings should be off the shelves soon
Ultrahuman CEO Mohit Kumar, with ZDNET, said that the brand has been working on a new smart ring. Thanks to its new Texas factory, the company may continue to exist in the US without any imports. The company has an option to file a dispute over the patent.
The Ultrahuman and RingConn smart rings are currently available to buy via select retailers like Amazon. However, they should be off the shelves soon.
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