Google Pixel 7 Series Banned in Japan After Court Battle

The Google Pixel 7 series has been banned from sales in Japan after Google lost a court battle. A Japanese court ruled that Google violated standard-essential patents owned by Pantech. Pantech has also requested a sales ban on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 smartphone families. The Pixel line is popular in Japan, ranking in the top three for 2024. However, the recent ban has disrupted Google's market presence.

Reports from ET News and Mlex confirm Pantech's legal victory in Japan over patent infringement by Google. The court's decision prohibits the sale of the Pixel 7 series due to the patent violation. The patents in question are crucial for smartphones and are usually licensed under fair terms. The specific patent involved is related to 'control signal mapping' technology used in LTE networks.

The court favored the sales ban due to Google's perceived lack of cooperation and sincerity. While the impact on the Pixel 7 series may be limited as it is an older model, Pantech's injunction against the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series could significantly affect Google's sales in Japan. This would be a significant setback for Google, a key player in the Japanese market for some time now.

Pantech, once a major player in the industry, has transitioned into a patent monetization business. The company has pursued legal action against various tech giants, including OnePlus and Niantic. For any tips or news, contact our staff at [email protected].