Summary
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Oura sues Zepp, Reebok, Noise and Samsung over smart ring design patent
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The patent covers placing the battery, sensors and flexible circuit board between the ring shells.
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Smaller companies are likely to license; Samsung may challenge patent as too broad
There's no doubt that Oura is the biggest name in the smart ring business. The company is currently on a patent crusade to maintain this position, and Samsung and its Galaxy Ring (among others) are in the crosshairs.
Oura announced this week that it has filed new lawsuits against four companies: Zepp Health, Reebok, Nexxbase Marketing (better known as Noise) and Samsung. The main allegation is that all of these companies manufacture and sell products that infringe Oura's intellectual property.
Oura's patent includes a general concept for assembling a smart ring. This involves placing components such as the battery, sensors and flexible circuit board between the inner and outer shells. It's no secret that if you look at any competitor, you'll see a very similar design. Just compare the photos of the Our Ring and the Galaxy Ring in this article.
This is not a new strategy for Oura, and some of the companies they have targeted in the past have already jumped on board. Circular, Ringconn and OMATE have entered into licensing deals for Oura technology. Unsurprisingly, the company sees this as a “clear path forward” for the latest companies being sued. Ultrahuman has vigorously resisted, refused to pay the license fee, and is now appealing the ITC's cease and desist order.
However, Samsung has a different story. Back in 2024, the company tried to get ahead and was the first to sue Oura, arguing that Oura's pattern of patent aggression posed a direct threat to its future Galaxy Ring. US Federal Judge threw away that original suitstating that Oura was not specifically targeting Samsung. Well, now they've done it.
While smaller companies may not have the resources to challenge Oura, Samsung certainly does. It has previously been argued that Oura's patents are too broad and attempt to claim ownership of common elements such as the placement of the battery and sensors within the ring. Smart rings are a promising business for Samsung, and the company will likely explore any route to avoid licensing fees.
As for the others – Zepp Health, Reebok and Noise – they will have to decide whether the cost of the licensing fee will be lower than the risk of being completely blocked from the US market.
Oura by using Android authority
