When you think of smart rings, you might think of the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Samsung has excellent branding and reputation, so it’s not hard to see why this is what most people think about. However, before Samsung, there was Oura. Oura’s smart rings have since been copied by its competitors. But now it looks like Oura is getting justice for that in a trade case in the US.
Oura getting justice
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled in favor of Oura. The ITC’s ruling says that Oura’s competitors, namely Ultrahuman and RingCon have infringed upon key Oura patents for its smart rings. This implies that the US could ban the sale of these companies’ products unless they successfully appeal the ITC’s ruling.
While it might be hard to argue that some products are direct copies of another, Ultrahuman and RingCon didn’t help their cause. For example, Ultrahuman was actually caught faking evidence. The company claimed it had a US manufacturing plant in Texas. However, later investigations revealed that it had simply photoshopped its logos onto a third-party facility. The firm also altered internal documents to mimic the appearance of domestic production.
This led to the judge presiding over the case to call Ultrahuman’s CEO “not credible,” while slamming the company’s “lack of truthfulness.” RingCon’s CEO also admitted under oath that the company had studied Oura’s rings.
Oura issued a statement on the ruling of its trade case in the US, saying, “We’re happy with the initial determination, which validates our position and the strength of our patents in the U.S. The initial determination is subject to review by the full Commission in the coming months, and we’re optimistic that the Commission will make a similar determination that Oura’s inventions and patents are being infringed upon by foreign competitors.”
Rise in smart rings
For the longest time, smartwatches and fitness trackers were the wearables of choice for many. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch continue to be extremely popular. However, smart rings are a great alternative. They’re smaller and less intrusive compared to smartwatches. Furthermore, the lack of a display means that battery life is generally better.
It’s perfect for those who want to track their fitness but want something more discreet. Samsung’s arrival on the scene probably helped boost the category’s popularity. We heard that Samsung is planning a successor to the Galaxy Ring soon.
The post Oura's Rivals Hit By Patent Infringement Ruling In The US appeared first on Android Headlines.
About The Author
