Finnish wearable maker Oura has filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against Indian competitor Ultrahuman in a Texas federal court, seeking to block sales of the recently launched Ring Pro. The complaint also names manufacturing partner SVTronics as a defendant, requesting both an injunction against US distribution and monetary damages. This legal challenge arrives only months after Ultrahuman redesigned its wearable following an import ban on its earlier Ring Air model.
Key facts
- New legal action: Oura filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Texas, targeting Ultrahuman’s redesigned Ring Pro.
- Patents in question: The filing cites two patents (D804,471 and 12,769,363) regarding external design and internal hardware components.
- Fresh approval: Patent 12,769,363 was granted to Oura just two days before the complaint was submitted.
- Manufacturing link: Texas-based electronics contractor SVTronics is named as a co-defendant for assembling the Ring Pro in Plano, Texas.
- Market availability: Ultrahuman confirmed the Ring Pro remains on sale in the US, as no court order currently restricts distribution.
Background: From Ring Air ban to the Ring Pro
The dispute between the two health-tech rivals began in 2023 when Oura sued Bengaluru-based Ultrahuman over its Ring Air. That conflict led to a case before the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which ruled against Ultrahuman last year and triggered an import ban on the Ring Air.
To re-enter the American market, Ultrahuman introduced the redesigned Ring Pro in February. According to the company, the device secured clearance from US Customs and Border Protection in March after the agency determined the redesign did not violate the patent addressed in the prior ITC case.
To handle local distribution, Ultrahuman partnered with SVTronics to manufacture the Ring Pro domestically in Plano, Texas. As smart rings gain wider adoption alongside developments in software and hardware integration—a trend visible across tech news and mobile devices—Oura claims the modified hardware still relies on protected proprietary design.
| Patent Detail | Specifics Cited in Complaint |
|---|---|
| Patent D804,471 | Covers specific ornamental smart ring design elements |
| Patent 12,769,363 | Issued October 20; covers internal layout including curved battery, sensors, and circuit board |
| Jurisdiction | US District Court in Texas |
| Defendants | Ultrahuman Biotech, SVTronics |
Claims and counterclaims
In its blog post and court filings, Oura argued that Ultrahuman’s redesign fails to resolve underlying infringement. «Ultrahuman introduced a redesigned ring but failed to address continued infringement of Oura’s patents, seeking instead to capitalize on our innovation and the market leadership we have built,» an Oura spokesperson stated.
Ultrahuman has rejected the allegations. Co-founder and CEO Mohit Kumar emphasized that the previous regulatory review cleared the hardware and noted the timing of Oura’s newest patent.
«Oura has now chosen to assert different patents, including one that issued just two days before this lawsuit was filed,» Kumar said. «We will address these claims through the appropriate legal process and will defend our position vigorously. There is no court order affecting Ring Pro, and it remains available to customers in the US.»
Wider industry context
This lawsuit reflects broader competition in the wearable market. According to IDC estimates, global smart ring shipments are projected to expand by 12.8% this year to 4.9 million units, eventually reaching 6.3 million units by 2030.
Oura has actively enforced its intellectual property portfolio against several competitors in the category, including Samsung, RingConn, Circular, and Zepp Health. Some disputes, such as those involving RingConn and Circular, concluded with royalty-bearing licensing agreements. Meanwhile, Ultrahuman raised $70 million in September from backers including Qualcomm Ventures and Labcorp to advance on-device computing capabilities, even as Oura recently paused its own planned $2.2 billion initial public offering.
Tracking technical shifts remains vital for hardware buyers assessing long-term product lifecycles, much like navigating terms of use and software roadmaps across emerging AI connected devices.
What’s next
The case will proceed through the federal court in Texas. Ring Pro remains available for purchase in the US and international markets while litigation is active, as no injunction has been granted. The court will evaluate whether the Ring Pro’s internal hardware architecture infringes Oura’s newly issued patents or falls within the boundaries established during previous customs reviews.
FAQ
Can customers in the United States still buy the Ultrahuman Ring Pro?
Yes. Ultrahuman confirmed that no court injunction currently restricts sales, meaning the Ring Pro remains available to consumers in the US while the legal process unfolds.
Why was SVTronics included in the lawsuit?
SVTronics is an electronics manufacturing firm based in Plano, Texas, that produces the Ring Pro for the US market under Ultrahuman’s direction, leading Oura to list the contractor as a co-defendant.
Sources: GSMArena.com — Latest articles, Engadget — Technology News & Expert Reviews, TechCrunch.
