Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Samsung is preemptively suing Oura to stop patent infringement lawsuits over its upcoming Galaxy Ring.
- The lawsuit alleges Oura has a historical past of suing opponents over widespread good ring options, and Samsung expects to be focused subsequent.
- Samsung hopes to acquire a ruling from the court docket confirming that its new Galaxy Ring doesn’t infringe on Oura’s patents.
Samsung is preemptively suing Oura to acquire a declaratory judgment of non-infringement on 5 of Oura’s patents. The corporate has taken this authorized motion earlier than the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring, a brand new competitor within the good ring market, which Oura presently dominates.
Moreover, the go well with additionally confirms that Samsung plans to promote the Galaxy Ring within the US beginning in August.
Why is Samsung suing Oura?
The lawsuit focuses on 5 particular patents held by Oura, which Samsung claims the Galaxy Ring doesn’t infringe upon. These patents relate to varied features of good ring know-how, comparable to strategies for assessing a consumer’s readiness rating, wearable computing system design, and strategies for manufacturing wearable digital units.
The lawsuit alleges that Oura has a sample of submitting patent fits in opposition to opponents primarily based on “options widespread to just about all good rings,” such because the inclusion of sensors, electronics, batteries, and scores primarily based on sensor knowledge.
Samsung cites cases the place Oura had sued rivals like Ultrahuman, Round, and RingConn, typically even earlier than their merchandise entered the US market. The go well with additional claims that Oura has made public statements indicating an intention to guard its mental property and probably sue Samsung as soon as the Galaxy Ring is launched.
What does Samsung need?
Primarily, Samsung seeks a proper authorized declaration from the court docket stating that its Galaxy Ring doesn’t infringe on any of the 5 patents held by Oura. This may clear the trail for the launch and sale of the Galaxy Ring with out the specter of authorized motion from Oura.
Samsung additionally goals to safe an injunction that will forestall Oura from submitting any patent infringement lawsuits in opposition to Samsung or its prospects associated to the Galaxy Ring. We’ve reached out to Oura and Samsung for feedback on the lawsuit and can add any updates to this story as they turn out to be accessible.
The result of this lawsuit may play a pivotal function in shaping the way forward for the good ring trade. A win for Samsung may also give smaller good ring makers extra respiratory room and encourage extra competitors.
It’s extensively rumored that the Galaxy Ring will debut at Samsung’s Unpacked occasion on July 10.
