Google Pixel 7 Banned in Japan Over Patent Dispute — Pixel 8 and 9 Could Be Next

A Japanese court has banned the sale and promotion of Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones after ruling that the devices violate a South Korean company’s patent. The court found that Google used a key 4G LTE technology without permission from Pantech, which owns the patent. This feature is essential for maintaining strong network connections.

The court order blocks not only sales, but also imports, advertising, and public display of the Pixel 7 series in Japan. The ruling is a major setback for Google, as its Pixel phones had been growing in popularity in the country. The judge also criticized Google for not cooperating during the trial and failing to provide necessary sales information.

Though Pantech is no longer making phones, it still owns important technology patents. The company now focuses on making money from those patents through lawsuits, often with support from a firm called IdeaHub. This win against Google is one of Pantech’s biggest legal victories so far.

The ban currently only affects the Pixel 7 series, but Pantech has already taken legal steps against Google’s newer models, including the Pixel 8 and upcoming Pixel 9. If these lawsuits succeed, it could hurt Google’s reputation and smartphone business in Japan — one of its fastest-growing markets.