Oura files fresh lawsuit against Ultrahuman, targeting its Ring Pro and a Texas manufacturer, reigniting a fierce patent battle in the fast‑growing smart‑ring market.
Oura Health has lodged a new federal suit in Texas accusing Indian rival Ultrahuman of infringing two of its recently issued patents with the redesigned Ring Pro, and has also named Texas‑based SVTronics as a co‑defendant. The move escalates a legal feud that began in 2023 and comes as both companies vie for dominance in a market projected to ship nearly 5 million units this year.
Background of the dispute
- In 2023 Oura sued Ultrahuman over the Ring Air, claiming design and component patents were being copied.
- A 2024 International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling gave Oura a win, leading to an import ban on the Ring Air in the United States.
- Ultrahuman relaunched a revised Ring Pro in February 2024, winning a favorable Customs ruling in March that cleared the path for U.S. sales.
"Ultrahuman has a history of copying Oura's innovations, as demonstrated by the 2025 ITC ruling against the company," an Oura spokesperson told TechCrunch.
The new lawsuit details
The complaint, filed Thursday in the Northern District of Texas, alleges that the Ring Pro infringes patents D804,471 (covering the ring’s external geometry) and 12,769,363 (a fresh October 20 issuance that protects a curved battery, internal circuit board, magnets and sensor layout). Oura is seeking:
- Monetary damages for past sales,
- A permanent injunction to stop further manufacture, importation and sale of the Ring Pro in the United States, and
- Potential attorney fees.
SVTronics, based in Plano, Texas, is accused of producing the Ring Pro under Ultrahuman’s direction, thereby sharing liability for the alleged infringement.
Ultrahuman’s response
Ultrahuman co‑founder and CEO Mohit Kumar told TechCrunch that the company “will address these claims through the appropriate legal process and will defend our position vigorously.” He emphasized that:
- No court order currently restricts the Ring Pro, which remains available to U.S. customers.
- The patents cited by Oura include one that was issued only two days before the lawsuit, raising questions about timing.
- Ultrahuman continues to invest in next‑generation hardware, including a Qualcomm‑backed smart ring that could run AI‑driven apps locally.
Industry implications
The smart‑ring market is heating up. IDC forecasts a 12.8 % shipment increase this year, reaching 4.9 million units, and expects the segment to climb to roughly 6.3 million units by 2030. Oura, once the clear market leader, now faces a crowded field that includes:
- Samsung, RingConn, Circular, and Zepp Health, all of which have previously settled with Oura through licensing deals.
- Emerging Indian and Chinese startups that are leveraging lower‑cost manufacturing and aggressive feature sets.
Legal battles like this one can shape the competitive landscape by:
- Forcing smaller players to negotiate royalty agreements or redesign around contested patents.
- Influencing investor confidence; Oura’s aborted $2.2 billion IPO earlier this year cited market uncertainty.
- Accelerating innovation as companies seek patent‑free pathways or develop proprietary software layers to differentiate their devices.
What’s next for the smart‑ring space?
- Court timeline: Federal cases can take many months; a preliminary injunction could be sought before a full trial.
- Potential settlements: Past Oura disputes have ended in royalty agreements, suggesting a possible out‑of‑court resolution.
- Product roadmaps: Both firms have announced new health metrics and AI‑centric features, indicating that the battle will be fought not only in courtrooms but also on users’ wrists.
The outcome of Oura’s latest lawsuit will likely set a precedent for how tightly patent portfolios can be enforced in wearable tech, and could either cement Oura’s defensive posture or open the door for rivals to innovate without fear of infringement claims.