The Ultrahuman Ring lawsuit was a patent case Oura brought at the U.S. International Trade Commission in March 2024, which ended with an August 2025 ITC ruling that banned Ultrahuman’s Ring AIR from U.S. import and sale as of October 21, 2025. Ultrahuman returned to the American market in March 2026 with a redesigned product, the Ring Pro, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection cleared it as non-infringing.
What Oura Sued Over
Oura filed its ITC complaint on March 13, 2024, naming Ultrahuman entities in India, the UAE, and the UK, along with RingConn, Circular SAS, and a Chinese manufacturer.1USITC. USITC Votes To Institute Investigation of Certain Smart Wearable Devices The Commission instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1398 on April 12, 2024.
Three patents were initially asserted, but the case turned on U.S. Patent No. 11,868,178. The ‘178 patent covers a layered hardware design for a smart ring, including the arrangement of internal and external housing components that enclose sensors and a curved battery.
Oura did not invent that design. The patent traces back to Motiv, a defunct smart ring startup. Proxy acquired Motiv’s patent portfolio, and Oura acquired Proxy in an all-equity deal announced May 9, 2023.2Oura Ring. Oura Acquires Proxy Ultrahuman has argued that Oura is using purchased patents to suppress competition, pointing out that the ITC complaint was filed weeks after the ‘178 patent was issued.3Ultrahuman Blog. So Whats the Patent That Oura Is Suing Everyone For
How the ITC Ruled
An Administrative Law Judge issued an initial determination for Oura on April 30, 2025, finding that Ultrahuman and RingConn had infringed the ‘178 patent.4Oura Ring. Oura ITC Case The full Commission affirmed on August 21, 2025, issuing a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders covering smart ring devices infringing claims 1, 2, and 12–14 of the ‘178 patent. The Commission set the bond during the presidential review period at zero percent.5USITC. Final Determination, Investigation No. 337-TA-1398
The 60-day presidential review period expired on October 21, 2025, with no White House intervention. The orders became fully enforceable that day, barring the import and sale of new Ultrahuman smart rings in the United States.4Oura Ring. Oura ITC Case
Ultrahuman’s Attempts To Overturn the Ban
Ultrahuman asked both the ITC and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to stay the import ban. Both denied the request, with the Federal Circuit’s denial coming on December 16, 2025.6Law360. Ultrahuman Loses Bids To Halt ITC Order in Oura Patent Case The company was still fighting the ITC order at the Federal Circuit as of early 2026.7Forbes. Last Chance for an Ultrahuman Ring Pro Deal as US Pre-Orders Open
A separate track ran at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which instituted a post-grant review on December 6, 2024 after finding it “more likely than not” that the patent’s claims were obvious in light of earlier patents.3Ultrahuman Blog. So Whats the Patent That Oura Is Suing Everyone For The PTAB issued its final written decision on November 25, 2025. It invalidated claims 17 and 18 but upheld claims 1–10 and 12–16.8CaseMine. PGR2024-00030, Final Written Decision Because the ITC’s exclusion order was tied to claims 1, 2, and 12–14, all of which survived, the PTAB review did not disturb the ban.
If You Already Own an Ultrahuman Ring AIR
The exclusion order blocks new imports and sales. It does not disable existing devices. The Commission rejected Oura’s request to restrict Ultrahuman’s mobile app and charging accessories, so Ring AIR units already in customers’ hands continue to work.9Lifehacker. Ultrahuman RingConn Smart Rings Pulled From Market Oura Lawsuit
Ultrahuman confirmed that customers who purchased a Ring AIR on or before October 21, 2025, keep full access to the app, subscription-free health insights, feature updates, and warranty coverage.10Ultrahuman Blog. Ultrahuman Is Here for Long For rings bought after that date from retailers still holding stock, Ultrahuman said it would provide diagnostics and technical support, but any returns have to go through the individual retailer.
The Ring Pro and the Return to the U.S. Market
Ultrahuman built a new product designed around the patent rather than waiting for its appeals. The Ring Pro uses what the company calls an “integrally formed housing tube,” a unitary construction that eliminates the separate internal and external housing components described in the ‘178 patent.11U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Ruling HQ H354023
Ultrahuman submitted the redesign to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in February 2026.12TechCrunch. Ultrahuman Unveils New Smart Ring as It Awaits U.S. Clearance After Oura Dispute On March 6, 2026, CBP’s Exclusion Order Enforcement Branch issued Ruling HQ H354023, finding that the Ring Pro does not infringe claims 1, 2, and 12–14 of the ‘178 patent and is therefore not subject to the exclusion order. CBP noted that the ruling covers the specific redesign submitted and would not extend to any future product deviating from that design.11U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Ruling HQ H354023
U.S. pre-orders opened in late March 2026. Tiered pricing started at $349 for the first 1,000 customers, with a planned retail price of $399. The Ring Pro is a titanium device advertised at up to 15 days of battery life, with no mandatory subscription and optional paid add-ons for clinical features like AFib detection.13AthletechNews. Ultrahuman Returns to US Market Ring Pro Initial shipping was announced for May 15, 2026, though Ultrahuman’s U.S. website later showed sizing kits shipping from June 20 and rings from July 15.14Ultrahuman. Ultrahuman Ring Pro – Buy The original Ring AIR remains blocked from U.S. sale.7Forbes. Last Chance for an Ultrahuman Ring Pro Deal as US Pre-Orders Open
What Happened to RingConn
RingConn, the other main respondent, settled instead of appealing. On October 21, 2025, Oura and RingConn announced a multi-year patent license letting RingConn keep selling its smart rings and companion app in the United States in exchange for ongoing royalties.15RingConn. Oura and RingConn Enter Multi-Year Patent Licensing Agreement Financial terms are confidential. The deal resolved the U.S. patent disputes between the two companies, and Oura agreed to dismiss its legal claims against RingConn.16Oura Ring. Oura Secures Licensing Agreements With RingConn and Omate
Ultrahuman’s Countersuit in India
The dispute is not confined to the United States. On August 22, 2025, Ultrahuman sued Oura in the Delhi High Court, alleging that Oura’s Ring 4 infringed an Indian patent covering sensor integration, construction, and onboard processing used in the Ring AIR.17Ultrahuman Blog. Ultrahuman Files Patent Infringement Suit Against Oura Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora dismissed the case on September 1, 2025, reportedly because Ultrahuman failed to disclose two relevant ITC rulings.18Mashable. Ultrahuman Sues Oura Patent Infringement A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court reinstated the case in November 2025.19AthletechNews. India Court Reinstates Ultrahuman Patent Suit Against Oura That proceeding sits in the Indian courts and does not affect the U.S. exclusion order; no rulings in the case have been publicly reported in 2026.