Samsung has taken a proactive step by filing a lawsuit against Oura to prevent any potential patent claims regarding their upcoming smart ring, the Galaxy Ring. The lawsuit seeks a ‘declaratory judgment’ asserting that the Galaxy Ring does not infringe on five patents held by Oura.
The lawsuit highlights Samsung’s concern over Oura’s history of initiating patent suits against competitors for features common to most smart rings, such as sensors, electronics, batteries, and data analysis based on sensor inputs. Previous cases mentioned in the lawsuit involve Oura suing companies like Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConn, even before they entered the US market.
Notably, Samsung’s preemptive legal action is supported by evidence. Following the announcement of the Galaxy Ring, Oura sent unsolicited statements to various publications, emphasizing its extensive intellectual property portfolio with over 100 granted patents, 270 pending patent applications, and 130+ registered trademarks. Oura’s CEO, Tom Hale, also stated in a CNBC interview that the company would closely monitor Samsung’s Galaxy Ring and take necessary steps to protect its patents.
The lawsuit also provides insights into the Galaxy Ring’s development timeline. It mentions that the hardware design was finalized in mid-May, mass production is set to commence in mid-June, and the smart ring is expected to be available in the US market around August this year. Additionally, a screenshot from the Samsung Health app included in the lawsuit reveals an ‘Energy Score’ feature based on various health metrics like sleep quality, activity levels, heart rate, and heart rate variability.
Despite reaching out to Oura for comments on the lawsuit, The Verge did not receive an immediate response. The legal battle between Samsung and Oura sheds light on the competitive landscape in the wearable technology market, particularly in the smart ring segment. As the anticipation for the Galaxy Ring’s release in August grows, consumers and tech enthusiasts are eager to witness the innovation and features that Samsung’s latest wearable device will offer.
