Ultrahuman confirms support and new ring after ITC ruling
Ultrahuman has been hit with a major legal setback in the United States. A completed patent investigation by the US International Trade Commission has resulted in an import and sales ban on its smart ring, though the company says Ring AIR remains available through retailers and support will not be interrupted.
Oura wins the case, but Ultrahuman responds with plans
According to a statement released by Oura, the ITC has finalised its ruling in the company’s patent dispute with Ultrahuman. With the Presidential review period now complete, exclusion and cease-and-desist orders have taken effect. This blocks the import and sale of Ultrahuman smart rings in the US.
The case focused on a patent held by Oura related to how internal components are arranged inside a smart ring. The ruling went in Oura’s favour, but the situation doesn’t end there.
Shortly after the ruling became public, Ultrahuman reached out to us directly to clarify its position.
“Ultrahuman Ring AIR remains available for purchase through retailers,” the company said. “All existing Ultrahuman Ring AIR users will continue to receive full firmware, software, and warranty support without interruption.”
So based on Ultrahuman’s statement, they appear to still be selling the Ring AIR in the US. But likely only through existing inventory held by retailers, not through direct imports. Ultrahuman also confirmed that a new ring design is already in development and expected to launch in the US as soon as possible.
More developments still to come
The company is now seeking clarity on whether its Texas-based production facility could enable a future “Made in USA” version of the Ring AIR. This may offer a workaround to the import ban. In parallel, Ultrahuman is awaiting the US Patent and Trademark Office’s review of the 2023 ‘178 patent, which was central to the ITC ruling. That decision is expected in December.
The company says it remains committed to its long-term vision and is focused on continuing development of its health tracking ecosystem. As they put it, “our mission remains clear: to build the world’s most advanced, science-led health ecosystem.”
At this point, the current ITC ruling stands. But it does not necessarily block redesigned models or locally manufactured variants. Nor does it prevent software support for existing customers.
A very different outcome to the RingConn dispute
This ruling marks a clear legal win for Oura. But the broader story is more nuanced. Just yesterday, Oura settled a similar dispute with RingConn via a multi-year licensing agreement. That allowed RingConn to avoid disruption and continue selling its products in the US.
The Ultrahuman outcome is more severe, but it may also be more temporary. A new design, local manufacturing, or changes in patent status could shift things again in the months ahead.
For now, the legal climate in the smart ring space remains tense. Brands are operating in a crowded form factor, and patents have become central to product strategy. If nothing else, this latest development shows how quickly the balance can shift.
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