Oura has filed new lawsuits against Samsung, Zepp Health, Reebok, and Noise, claiming they infringed on core smart ring patents. The company demands royalty payments or import bans, extending its legal strategy used in earlier victories over Ultrahuman and Ringconn.
Oura targets Samsung and smart ring makers for patent violations
Oura’s latest lawsuits accuse four major players of illegally importing and selling smart rings that violate its existing patents. The company is pursuing action through both the U.S. District Court and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the same route that previously forced smaller rivals into licensing deals.
At the center of the claims are patents covering how electronics such as sensors, batteries, and printed circuit boards are arranged between the outer and inner layers of a smart ring.
Patent design at the heart of the legal battle
Oura argues that these internal configurations are a result of its innovation and must be respected by new entrants in the market. Its position is that even if competitors need similar tech to keep smart rings slim, they must pay to license its intellectual property.
Companies already forced into license agreements include:
- Circular
- Ringconn
- Omate
Oura claims this licensing model is the cleanest way forward for rivals who want to remain in the U.S. market.
Samsung and Oura have clashed before
This isn’t the first time Samsung and Oura have locked horns. Samsung previously filed a lawsuit against Oura, warning that its aggressive patent enforcement strategy posed a threat to fair competition. That case was dismissed in early 2025 because Oura hadn’t yet acted against Samsung. With this new filing, Samsung’s earlier warning may seem more justified.
Samsung has publicly criticized Oura’s patents, calling them overly broad and built on features common to all smart rings. Whether it will seek to invalidate those patents or negotiate royalties remains unclear.
Oura’s lawsuits aim to enforce licensing through pressure
Oura has made it clear: pay royalties or face potential import restrictions. While smaller brands like Reebok and Zepp Health may have limited options, Samsung could take the fight further, challenging the patents at their foundation. Either way, Oura’s legal campaign signals a major shift in how competitive and litigious the smart ring market has become.
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