Ultrahuman Faces Legal Setback in US Over Patent Dispute With Oura

Indian smart ring maker Ultrahuman has faced an early setback in its patent dispute with Finnish tech company Oura.

On April 26, a US trade judge ruled that Ultrahuman and Chinese brand RingConn had violated key parts of Oura’s smart ring technology patents.

This case could impact the global smart ring market and may result in a US import ban on devices from Ultrahuman and RingConn, a serious threat in a fast-growing market for wearable tech.

Oura, a Finnish health-tech company founded in 2013, filed a complaint in August 2023 claiming that Ultrahuman and RingConn copied the design and technology of its smart rings. The complaint pointed to several US patents covering hardware, sensors, and software.

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A US trade judge has now ruled in Oura’s favor, finding that both Ultrahuman and RingConn violated all of Oura’s valid patent claims. The judge also said Ultrahuman submitted false evidence, such as claiming it had a factory in Texas, while Oura was the only one to provide a credible witness.

The judge rejected concerns about Oura becoming a monopoly, noting that the US wearables market is still competitive with big players like Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit.

The case will now be reviewed by the full US International Trade Commission. If they agree with the ruling, Ultrahuman and RingConn could face an import ban and be blocked from selling their products on platforms like Amazon or their own websites.

Ultrahuman, which raised $35 million in late 2023, has been growing fast in India and abroad. But a final ruling against it could hurt its US plans and force the company to change its strategy, redesign products, or negotiate patent deals.

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