ETtech Explainer: Oura vs Ultrahuman—what's at stake in the smart ring patent battle
Finnish
healthtech
firm
Oura
has scored an early legal victory in its
patent infringement
case against Indian startup
Ultrahuman
and Chinese smart ring brand RingConn.
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The US International Trade Commission's (ITC) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued an initial ruling on April 26, siding with Oura and stating that both rival products infringe on key elements of its patented smart ring technology.
The ruling, first reported by website ZDNet, could lead to an import ban on Ultrahuman and RingConn rings in the US — one of the fastest-growing markets for biometric wearables.
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ET
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on April 28 that Ultrahuman is in talks with WestBridge Capital for a new funding round after talks with Japanese investor SoftBank fell through.
What is Oura alleging?
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Oura claims that the Ultrahuman Ring and RingConn Smart Ring copied not just the ring form factor, but also the core technology behind its patented sleep and health tracking capabilities. The company filed its complaint in August 2023, citing multiple US patents covering hardware design, sensor integration, and signal processing algorithms.
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According to a company spokesperson quoted by ZDNet, both competing products infringe on 'every element of every asserted claim' in Oura's intellectual property. Oura has also accused the companies of reverse-engineering its ring by purchasing and disassembling retail units.
What did the judge say?
In the April 26 initial determination, the ITC judge found that:
Both Ultrahuman and RingConn infringed all asserted claims of Oura's valid patents.
Ultrahuman submitted false evidence, including claims of operating a manufacturing facility in Texas — which was found to be fabricated.
Oura was the only party to present a credible witness during the proceedings.
The judge also stated that the US wearables market remains highly competitive, noting that major players like Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit offer a wide range of alternatives to
smart rings
— undercutting any claim that Oura is attempting to monopolise the space.
What happens next?
The initial ruling will now be reviewed by the full six-member ITC Commission, which is expected to issue a final determination by September 26, 2024.
If the ruling is upheld:
The Commission may issue exclusion orders, banning imports of Ultrahuman and RingConn rings into the US.
It could also issue cease-and-desist orders, prohibiting sales through ecommerce channels like Amazon or direct-to-consumer websites.
Why this matters
Founded in 2013, Oura was an early mover in the smart ring space. The Oura Ring Gen3 and its successor offer:
Sleep tracking and readiness scores
Menstrual and fertility cycle prediction
Heart rate, body temperature, and SpO2 monitoring
Early illness detection via respiratory signals and temperature trends
The company has raised over $350 million, with recent product updates including an AI-powered health assistant, a partnership with Dexcom, the acquisition of Finnish metabolic health startup Veri, and the launch of its fourth-generation ring with upgraded sensors.
What it means for rivals
Ultrahuman, which raised $35 million in late 2023, has expanded rapidly in India and international markets. RingConn, meanwhile, retails heavily in the US through Amazon and its own DTC website. A final ruling against them could curb US sales, deal a blow to expansion plans, and potentially trigger redesigns or licensing discussions.
'We're happy with the initial determination, which validates our position and the strength of our patents,' an Oura spokesperson said on April 29, 2024.
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