Two Popular Smart Ring Makers Caught Copying Oura
In a shocking turn of events, two popular smart ring makers, Ultrahuman and RingConn, have been found to infringe on Oura's patent. According to an initial determination from the US International Trade Commission's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), both products infringe on "every element of every asserted claim of Oura's patent." This means that both companies' smart rings bear a striking resemblance to Oura's design, which is protected by the company's intellectual property.
The ALJ found that the patent in question relates to the form factor of the smart ring and is valid as an invention that existed before Ultrahuman and RingConn launched their products. This raises serious questions about the originality of these companies' designs and whether they have been unfairly copying Oura's work.
But that's not all - according to Oura, both companies participated in "dishonest tactics" to develop their own smart rings. Specifically, they allegedly purchased and deconstructed Oura Ring devices for their own testing and product development. This behavior is seen as a clear violation of intellectual property rights and could have serious consequences for both companies.
Ultrahuman has responded to the allegations, stating that it "respectsfully but firmly disagrees" with the initial determination and remains confident in its position. The company claims that its fast-scaling Texas facility will cover 100% of US demand within the next 2-3 months, underscoring its commitment to domestic operations and customer-first innovation.
However, the full US International Trade Commission (ITC) will review this determination in the coming months and make a final decision. If found guilty, Ultrahuman and RingConn could face a cease-and-desist order, which would effectively stop operations and sales of their smart rings. Certain features of their products may also be disabled or they may have to fully redesign the form factor of their rings.
In the meantime, both companies can contest the ruling and provide their own evidence. But for now, it's clear that the smart ring market has been shaken to its core by these allegations.
The implications of this patent infringement could be significant, as both Ultrahuman and RingConn have gained popularity in recent months due to their affordable pricing and feature-rich designs. If they are found guilty, it could fundamentally alter the competitive landscape of the smart ring market.
As one Oura spokesperson noted, "The ALJ's opinion is meaningful to the scientists, developers, product teams, and all of those at Oura who innovate every day to ensure that Oura Ring can continue to shape the future of holistic health innovation." The outcome of this case will be closely watched by industry observers and smart ring enthusiasts alike.