Google Pixel 7 series banned in Japan; Pixel 8 and 9 also at risk

Google Pixel 7 series

smartphones have been banned in Japan. According to a report by ETNews, the ban comes after a court ruled that the company violated a patent held by South Korean firm Pantech. “Pantech announced on the 24th that it had won a judgment including a sales injunction from the Tokyo District Court in Japan in its lawsuit against Google for infringing its standard essential patents,” the report says (translated). With this ruling, Google will no longer be able to sell Pixel 7 series phones in the country. The court’s decision marks the first time in Japan that a product has been removed from the market due to standard patent infringement.According to the report, Pantech holds a key patent related to 4G communication technology. The court reportedly noted Google’s “insincere attitude” in handling the issue, which may have influenced the severity of the ruling.

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series also face potential ban

While the ruling currently applies only to the Pixel 7 series, Pantech is reportedly seeking a broader ban that could include newer devices like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, which are still available from retailers and mobile carriers in Japan.

The company has also applied for an import ban on all Pixel series products through Japanese customs. The ETNews report quotes a Pantech official who said, "It is very encouraging that we have taken practical action in a Japanese court against a global company like Google."

Future Pixel phones also under threat

The patent dispute could grow into a larger issue for Google if Japanese courts expand the ban to include the Pixel 7a and later models. Google is expected to unveil its Pixel 10 lineup in the coming months, with leaks suggesting a focus on performance and refined Android experience. However, the legal challenges could impact the launch or sales of future devices in key markets like Japan if the issue remains unresolved.