Oura Launches New Legal Battle Against Ultrahuman Over Patent Dispute
In a significant move, smart ring manufacturer Oura has filed a lawsuit against Indian competitor Ultrahuman, aiming to block the sale of its newly redesigned Ring Pro in the U.S. This legal action comes just months after Ultrahuman successfully re-entered the American market following a previous import ban.
Latest Legal Developments
Oura’s complaint, lodged in a Texas federal court, claims that Ultrahuman’s Ring Pro infringes on two of its patents related to the ring’s design and essential internal components like the battery and sensors. The company is seeking monetary damages, along with a permanent injunction to prevent Ultrahuman from selling the device in the U.S.
Background of the Dispute
Ultrahuman launched the redesigned Ring Pro in February, receiving a favorable decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in March, which allowed the startup to resume sales in the U.S. market. This followed the imposition of an import ban on Ultrahuman’s earlier product, the Ring Air, after Oura successfully claimed patent infringement in a ruling by the International Trade Commission in August last year.
Oura’s Position
An Oura spokesperson stated, “Ultrahuman has a history of copying Oura’s innovations, as demonstrated by the 2025 ITC ruling against the company.” They argue that Ultrahuman’s recent redesign still infringes upon Oura’s patents. Specifically, Oura emphasizes that the Customs ruling only covered the patent from the earlier case and not the two mentioned in this latest lawsuit: D804,471 and 12,769,363.
Details of the Patents in Question
Notably, one of the patents, 12,769,363, was issued to Oura just two days prior to filing the lawsuit. This patent pertains to a smart-ring design that incorporates innovative internal components such as a curved battery and sensors. Additionally, Oura has named Texas-based SVTronics as a co-defendant, alleging that the company manufactures the Ring Pro under Ultrahuman’s direction and control, contributing to patent infringements.
Ultrahuman’s Response
In response, Mohit Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Ultrahuman, expressed confidence in the Ring Pro and the company’s readiness to defend against these allegations. “Oura has now chosen to assert different patents, including one that issued just two days before this lawsuit was filed,” he stated, emphasizing that there are no current court orders impacting the Ring Pro’s availability in the U.S.
A Longer History of Disputes
Oura and Ultrahuman have been entrenched in patent disputes since 2023, when Oura initially sued Ultrahuman over its Ring Air model. This ongoing battle has seen multiple legal proceedings aimed at securing Oura’s patent rights across various competitors. Notably, Oura has taken similar steps against other smart ring makers, including Samsung and RingConn, resulting in some licensing agreements allowing continued sales of their products.
Growing Market Implications
The smart ring market is on the rise, with research firm IDC projecting a 12.8% increase in global shipments this year, expected to reach about 4.9 million units. As a leading player, Oura faces challenges from emerging competitors like Ultrahuman, who are gaining traction.
Recent Developments at Oura
The legal scrutiny comes on the heels of Oura pausing its $2.2 billion IPO due to market uncertainties while continuing to enhance its product offerings. Recently, the company added new fitness metrics aimed at helping users track their cardiovascular health effectively.
Ultrahuman’s Recent Funding
In the midst of this legal battle, Ultrahuman raised $70 million from prominent investors like Qualcomm Ventures, valuing the company at around $365 million. The startup is also collaborating with Qualcomm on a new smart ring designed to run advanced software, broadening its potential into AI interactions and gaming beyond fitness and health.
Looking Ahead
As both companies prepare for the upcoming legal proceedings, the implications of this lawsuit extend beyond just the two companies involved; it reflects the growing complexity of intellectual property disputes in the rapidly evolving tech landscape of smart devices.
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