Google’s Pixel 7 series smartphones have been officially banned in Japan. The ban was issued by a court in Tokyo after a lawsuit from South Korean tech company Pantech. The court ruled that Google violated Pantech’s patent related to 4G communication technology.
Pantech won the case and received a sales ban order from the Tokyo District Court. This means Google is no longer allowed to sell Pixel 7 phones in Japan. This is the first time a product in Japan has been banned over a standard patent issue.
The court also criticized Google for not handling the matter seriously, which may have influenced the strict decision.
Pixel 8 and 9 Could Be Banned Too
Although the current ruling only affects the Pixel 7 series, Pantech is now trying to get a broader ban. This could include the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, which are still being sold in Japan by retailers and mobile companies.
Pantech has also requested a full import ban on all Pixel devices in Japan.
A Pantech official said, “It’s a big win for us to take action against a global company like Google in Japan.”
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Future Pixel Phones at Risk
The legal issue could become a bigger problem for Google. If Japanese courts agree with Pantech, other models like the Pixel 7a and future devices could also be banned.
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Google is expected to announce its Pixel 10 series soon, with a focus on better performance and Android experience. But this patent fight could delay or affect sales of new Pixel phones in Japan unless it gets resolved quickly.
