Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Oura’s August 2025 patent win did not leave Ultrahuman and RingConn in the same position. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued orders covering specific products, but RingConn later settled with Oura and was removed from the orders. Ultrahuman’s older Ring AIR was covered; in 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ruled that the redesigned Ring PRO falls outside the order’s scope.

What happened—and what the headline leaves out

On August 21, 2025, the ITC found a violation of Section 337 involving Oura’s U.S. Patent No. 11,868,178. It issued a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders concerning specified smart-wearable products associated with Ultrahuman and RingConn. The investigation, numbered 337-TA-1398, began in April 2024 at Oura’s request. The USITC investigation record and its announcement of the investigation document the proceeding.

That was not a blanket ban on smart rings, a finding that either company was illegal, or an order to disable rings already owned by consumers. The case concerned particular patent claims and covered products. The headline also needs a date: RingConn’s orders were later rescinded, while Ultrahuman’s new Ring PRO received a separate CBP ruling.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What Oura’s patent win covered

The dispute concerned claims 1, 2, and 12–14 of the ’178 patent—not ownership of the general idea of putting health-tracking sensors in a ring. The asserted claims address specific structural design and component arrangements. The Federal Register notice identifies the claims at issue. RingConn characterized the dispute as concerning a single patent and a particular structure; that is the company’s description, while the USITC and CBP records define the operative legal scope.

#1 Best Overall
Oura Ring 5 Smart Ring - Silver - Size 7 - Fitness & Sleep Tracker
  • THE WORLD’S SMALLEST SMART RING - 40% smaller than the previous generation, Oura Ring 5 is thinner, lighter and smaller than ever. The updated all-titanium design is more scratch-resistant and comfortable than ever
  • SIZING IS ESSENTIAL - Oura Ring 5 uses unique sizing different from standard jewelry rings and other Oura Ring generations; use the Oura Ring 5 Sizing Kit to find your perfect fit before purchasing
  • EVERYDAY HEALTH SENSING - Oura tracks over 50 health metrics, including sleep, activity, stress, heart health, metabolic health and women’s health metrics. Oura seamlessly integrates with over 40 apps including Natural Cycles, Strava, & more
  • OURA MEMBERSHIP - First month of membership is included with purchase, for new members only. Subscription is 5.99/mo afterwards. Membership is tied to your account via the Oura App, not your physical ring
  • REBUILT FOR GREATER ACCURACY - Oura Ring 5 has been re-engineered and reconfigured, providing more precise personal health data. Larger, smarter sensors bring research-grade accuracy—all in Oura’s smallest form factor yet

The investigation addressed RingConn’s accused smart ring and related application, and Ultrahuman Ring AIR and its associated application. A company name alone does not determine whether a product is covered: the product design, patent claims, and terms of the orders matter.

What the ITC orders did

A Section 337 case is an import-related proceeding before the ITC, not an ordinary federal-court lawsuit. The Commission can issue a limited exclusion order, enforced by CBP, barring entry of covered infringing products. It can also issue cease-and-desist orders restricting specified commercial activity involving covered goods already in the United States. The USITC’s final-determination notice describes the remedies.

The orders were limited to covered products and conduct, subject to their terms and legal conditions. They did not require consumers to return their rings or remotely shut them off. Nor did the ruling prohibit every smart ring or decide the merits of every possible patent dispute in the category.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The Commission’s determination was subject to a presidential-review period. RingConn said that period ran through October 21, 2025. The relevant milestones are:

Rank #2
Smart Ring Health Monitor for Sleep Stress Exercise Tracking, IP68 Waterproof, Long Battery Life, No Subscription, Works with iOS Android, Suitable for daily use, exercise and play. (Silver, 8)
  • 【Check the Size Before Purchase】 Before buying the prxxhri Smart Ring, we strongly suggest that you refer to the size chart and carefully measure the circumference of your finger. This will ensure you get the most comfortable wearing experience and easily avoid any unnecessary returns or exchanges.
  • 【Real-time Accurate Sleep & Fitness Monitoring】 prxxhri smart ring tracks your sleep quality and daily activities in real time. With advanced sensors, it provides precise data about your sleep cycle, helping you optimize rest and recovery. Whether you are tracking steps, calories or exercise performance, this smart ring can provide you with the most accurate insights to support your fitness goals and enhance your overall health.It is a good choice for family and friends.
  • 【Health Monitoring】The prxxhri ring features advanced 4.0 sensors that automatically measure your heart rate every 30 min when worn. It provides continuous health tracking and comprehensive wellness management all day.
  • 【2-3 Day Battery Life】 With a 2-3 day battery life, the prxxhri smart ring ensures continuous health monitoring without frequent charging. When used with the smart charging case, the usage time can even exceed 5 days. Whether you are tracking sleep patterns or fitness activities, you can count on long-lasting performance without constant interruptions.
  • 【80-meter Waterproof, Suitable for Various Scenarios】 The prxxhri Smart Ring has excellent waterproof performance, with a waterproof depth of up to 80 meters. Whether it's for daily wear, an intense workout session or a pleasant swimming time, it can handle it with ease. What's more, even if you have sensitive skin, you can still enjoy an extremely comfortable wearing experience when wearing this ring.
  • August 21, 2025: The ITC issued its final determination and orders.
  • October 21, 2025: The presidential-review period cited in RingConn’s update ended.
  • December 8–9, 2025: The Commission acted to remove RingConn from the exclusion order and rescind the orders against it.
  • 2026: CBP ruled that Ultrahuman Ring PRO was outside the existing order’s scope.

RingConn: the orders were rescinded after settlement

RingConn and Oura reached a settlement and patent-license agreement in late 2025. On December 8, the Commission determined that the conditions supporting the remedial orders against RingConn no longer existed. It modified the limited exclusion order to remove RingConn and rescinded the cease-and-desist orders against the company. The change appears in the USITC’s December 2025 notice and the investigation record.

So, in the United States, RingConn is not accurately described as still blocked by the original ITC order. That does not mean the Commission declared Oura’s patent invalid or that RingConn can never face another patent dispute; it means the orders against RingConn in this investigation were rescinded following settlement.

For existing owners, RingConn said U.S. customers would retain device use, app access, updates, warranty service, and support. That is the company’s assurance; the Commission’s action independently confirms that the orders against RingConn were rescinded. The order concerned U.S. imports and specified commercial conduct, not a remote shutdown of customer devices. RingConn also said non-U.S. markets and services were unaffected by the U.S. ruling.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Ultrahuman: Ring AIR and Ring PRO are different cases

Ultrahuman Ring AIR was among the products affected by the original order. The company appealed the Commission’s final determination to the Federal Circuit on October 22, 2025; the USITC notice lists appeal No. 26-1083. Do not treat that appeal as resolved unless a later court disposition is verified.

Rank #3
Sale
Milavan Smart Health Ring Fitness Tracker for Men Women, Rose Gold 8
  • 【Size Before You Buy】Before purchasing the Milavan Smart Ring, we recommend referring to the size chart and carefully measuring your finger circumference. This helps ensure a comfortable fit and avoid unnecessary returns or exchanges
  • 【Wellness Tracking】The slim ring features advanced 4.0 sensors that automatically track your heart rate every 30 minutes while worn. Daily data is available in the app for reference only and is not intended for medical use
  • 【Intelligent Sleep Tracker】The fitness ring automatically tracks your sleep quality, including deep and light sleep, REM (eye movement), and awake periods. You can view all sleep data anytime in the app for daily reference
  • 【8 Sports Modes Tracking】Supports 8 sports modes, including Running, Cycling, Jump Rope, Walking, Hiking, Yoga, Dancing, and Golf. View workout duration, steps, heart rate, speed, calories burned, distance, and other activity data in the app
  • 【Stylish Fitness Companion】Featuring a slim 2mm profile and a specially polished inner surface, this smart ring is designed for comfortable all-day wear and most sports activities. View detailed workout data in the app after selecting a sport mode

Ultrahuman’s redesigned Ring PRO is a separate product. CBP ruled that its design does not infringe claims 1, 2, and 12–14 of the ’178 patent and is outside the scope of the existing exclusion order. The CBP ruling H354023 is a product-specific scope determination—not a finding that Oura’s patent is invalid, and not a guarantee that every future Ultrahuman design is immune from another challenge.

Ultrahuman’s U.S. page listed Ring PRO at $479, with shipments beginning in 2026, and says there is no recurring subscription fee. Those are vendor-stated, time-sensitive purchase details; check the current Ring PRO page for price, delivery, return terms, and availability. Ultrahuman has said existing Ring AIR owners would continue receiving service, but that assurance should be understood as the company’s statement, not a promise created by the ITC order.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

If you already own one

  • RingConn: The orders against RingConn were rescinded. The company says app access, updates, warranty, and support continue.
  • Ultrahuman Ring AIR: The order restricted covered imports and specified commercial activity; it did not itself remotely disable consumer-owned rings. Check Ultrahuman’s current support and warranty terms for service details.
  • Accessories, apps, replacements: A hardware exclusion does not automatically mean an app, charger, or every warranty service is prohibited. The RingConn proceeding addressed exceptions involving its app, chargers, and warranty services. Specific treatment depends on the order and circumstances.
  • Imported or secondhand units: An overseas listing does not establish that a unit can lawfully be imported. Warranty coverage may also depend on seller and purchase channel; check the manufacturer’s terms before buying.

What U.S. buyers can consider

The legal outcome is only one buying factor. Compare the exact model, confirmed U.S. stock and fulfillment, return and warranty terms, app ecosystem, health features, data options, battery claims, and total cost—including any membership. The following prices and availability are observations in the research dossier, not guaranteed current offers; verify the linked pages before purchase.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Model Price observed Subscription Status and caveat
RingConn Gen 2 $299 No subscription listed RingConn’s orders were rescinded. Confirm current U.S. inventory, shipping, warranty, and model terms on the official product page.
RingConn Gen 2 Air $199 No subscription listed The official page showed out-of-stock during the research period; it may not be an immediate option. Check current stock.
Ultrahuman Ring PRO $479 No recurring fee stated by Ultrahuman CBP ruled this redesigned model outside the order’s scope. Check delivery, returns, and current availability on the U.S. buying page.
Oura Ring Varies by model U.S. membership listed at $5.99/month or $69.99/year Consider the ongoing fee as well as the ring price. Check Oura’s membership information and purchase guidance.

Price, stock, shipping, and membership terms change. A product being listed online is not by itself proof that every shipment will clear customs. For a secondhand Oura device, Oura warns that unauthorized third-party purchases may have warranty or device-restriction implications; consult its purchase guidance.

Why this matters beyond these two brands

The case shows how patent disputes over the internal structure and arrangement of wearable components can affect imported hardware without outlawing a whole product category. Companies may settle, appeal, or redesign a product; customs authorities can assess whether a particular redesigned product falls within an existing order. Each route has different consequences. The Ring PRO ruling addresses that design and that order—it does not establish a universal route around patent rights.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.