Oura's biggest smart ring rivals were just banned in the US - but you can still buy them (for now)

"Oura secured a final legal victory in its patent dispute with Ultrahuman and RingConn last week. The US International Trade Commission's ruling asserts that the two competing smart ring brands infringed on Oura's patents to develop smart rings of their own. The ITC issued ceast-and-desist orders banning the two brands from importing and selling their smart rings in the US. This narrows the smart ring market's competition, taking two major competitors out of the game and giving Oura even more dominance in the wearables space."

"The cease-and-desist order takes effect 60 days after the decision's August 21 publication, and its submission to the Office of the US Trade Representatives, which an Oura spokesperson said is expected this week. "This ruling establishes at the most rigorous levels of review that Ōura's patents are valid and enforceable, and reinforces not only the strength of Ōura's patents but our long-term IP strategy," in a blog post."

"The initial ITC determination came in April, and claimed that both brands engaged in dishonest tactics to develop the form factor of their smart rings. When ZDNET requested comment on the initial determination several months ago, an Oura spokesperson said that both products infringe on "every element of every asserted claim of Oura's patent." The two competing smart ring brands were known as subscription-free alternatives to the higher-priced Oura Ring, a device whose latest generation begins at $350, alongside an additional $7 monthly membership fee for"

Oura won a final legal victory when the US International Trade Commission found Ultrahuman and RingConn infringed Oura's smart ring patents. The ITC issued cease-and-desist orders preventing the two brands from importing and selling their smart rings in the United States. The order becomes effective 60 days after the August 21 publication and following submission to the Office of the US Trade Representatives. The ITC's initial determination alleged dishonest tactics in developing competing form factors. Ultrahuman and RingConn had been positioned as subscription-free alternatives to the higher-priced Oura Ring, which carries an upfront cost and a monthly membership fee.

Read at ZDNET