UnaliWear lawsuit could block Apple, Google, Garmin and Samsung watches
A new patent dispute could shake up the smartwatch industry in the US. The International Trade Commission has opened a formal investigation into Apple, Google, Garmin and Samsung over fall detection and health emergency tech.
UnaliWear takes on the big players
The complaint comes from UnaliWear, a Texas-based company known for the Kanega Watch, a safety device designed for older adults. Unlike typical smartwatches, it does not require a smartphone and includes unique features like hot-swappable batteries built into the strap. The focus of this case is what they call RealFall, an AI-driven system that detects actual falls while avoiding false alarms triggered by normal movement.
UnaliWear claims that Apple, Google (via Fitbit), Garmin and Samsung all use similar technology in their wearable devices. They argue that these companies infringe on several of their patents, including US Patent 10,140,836 and US Patent 10,403,115. Both cover machine learning methods that help distinguish genuine falls from regular daily motion. According to UnaliWear, this isn’t just about copying a feature. It’s about adopting a patented solution to a very specific health challenge.
What’s at stake in this ITC investigation
The legal action is being taken through the United States International Trade Commission, under Investigation Number 337-TA-1477. This route allows UnaliWear to request a limited exclusion order. If granted, it could block the import of certain smartwatches and rings into the US. A ban like this would hit all four companies involved, including best-selling devices like the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.
This isn’t the only legal route UnaliWear is pursuing. The company has also filed separate cases in multiple US district courts. But the ITC process moves much faster and can result in product bans well before monetary damages are awarded.
Procedural steps and the timeline ahead
The case officially began on January 8, 2026, when the ITC voted to institute the investigation. Respondents now have 20 days to file their initial responses, which means formal replies from Apple and the others should arrive by late January. By late February, the commission will set a target date for the investigation to wrap up. This usually gives a window of 15 to 18 months, putting a decision somewhere in mid 2027.
In the meantime, both sides will spend most of the year locked in discovery. This includes document exchanges, expert reports and eventually a trial-like evidentiary hearing later in 2026. One key moment will be the Markman hearing, where the judge decides how to interpret the language in the patents. These technical definitions can often shape the outcome.
Once the judge issues an initial determination in early 2027, the full commission will review the findings. If they confirm that infringement occurred, a limited exclusion order could follow. From there, the US President has 60 days to review the decision. It’s rare for a president to override it. If upheld, customs officials would start blocking the affected devices from entering the country.
The company behind the patents
UnaliWear was founded in 2013 by Jean Anne Booth, who previously sold startups to both Apple and Texas Instruments. The Kanega Watch was built to support seniors living independently, especially those without access to smartphones. The name UnaliWear blends Cherokee roots meaning friend and speak, a nod to the company’s goal of giving users a voice during emergencies.
To date, the company has raised over $20 million in funding. Their tech has always focused on safety first, with RealFall as the key innovation. What makes their argument stand out is that they built this feature for a very specific demographic, long before the larger brands adopted similar capabilities.
Does UnaliWear stand a chance of winning?
UnaliWear looks well placed to push this case forward. The ITC has shown more support for smaller US firms lately, especially after Masimo’s high-profile win against Apple. On top of that, the founder’s background as an engineer with successful exits to Apple and Texas Instruments gives the company’s patents a technical edge that’s hard for bigger players to dismiss.
A full import ban on major wearables like the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch might not happen, but the threat of it gives UnaliWear real negotiating power. A possible outcome is a set of licensing deals where each company pays a royalty to keep using fall detection and related features. If that happens, UnaliWear shifts from a hardware maker to a key gatekeeper of fall detection tech across the entire wearables market.
It’s now up to the ITC to decide whether the big players went too far. The outcome could reshape what fall detection looks like in smartwatches going forward.
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