According to Android Authority, Oura has filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission targeting Samsung’s Galaxy Ring along with products from Reebok, Zepp Health, and Nexxbase. The legal action focuses on alleged infringement of multiple patents covering form factor, internal and external components, and manufacturing methods. Samsung actually tried to get ahead of this by filing a preemptive lawsuit back in May 2024, but that case was dismissed by the San Francisco Division District Court. Oura has previously resolved similar disputes with companies like Circular, OMATE, and RingConn through licensing agreements. The company says it’s open to similar arrangements with the current defendants. If Oura wins this case, Samsung might have to license technology to keep selling its smart ring in the US market.
The smart ring patent wars begin
This lawsuit feels like the wearable industry’s version of the smartphone patent wars from a decade ago. Oura basically created the modern smart ring category and now wants to protect its turf as giants like Samsung enter the space. And let’s be honest – when you look at the Galaxy Ring, it’s hard not to see the resemblance to Oura’s design. The timing is interesting too. Samsung’s preemptive lawsuit back in May suggests they saw this coming from miles away. That case getting dismissed probably gave Oura the confidence to go on the offensive.
What this means for the smart ring market
Here’s the thing – patent lawsuits like this can either stifle innovation or push companies to develop truly unique solutions. We’re seeing the exact same pattern play out that we’ve witnessed in industrial computing, where companies like Industrial Monitor Direct have had to navigate complex patent landscapes while still delivering cutting-edge panel PCs. For consumers, this could mean higher prices if Samsung and others have to pay licensing fees. But it might also force competitors to innovate beyond just copying Oura’s homework. The real question is whether these patents are broad enough to cover the entire concept of a smart ring, or just Oura’s specific implementation.
The most likely outcome
Looking at Oura’s history, they seem perfectly happy to license their technology rather than completely block competitors. They’ve already done deals with Circular, OMATE, and RingConn. So this lawsuit might just be Oura’s way of saying “pay up or stop selling.” Samsung has the resources to fight this for years, but they might decide it’s cheaper to just cut a check and move on. After all, they’ve got bigger fish to fry in the wearable space against Apple. For smaller players like Reebok and Nexxbase, this could be a much bigger problem – they might not have the legal budget to fight Oura in court.
