Tech Desk 
Jun 28, 2025
In a notable setback for the globally acclaimed tech giant, Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have been banned in Japan after a Japanese court prohibited their sale and marketing.
The ruling followed the Tokyo District Court finding Google guilty of violating patent laws by using essential 4G LTE technology without permission from the South Korean tech firm Pantech.
The court ruled that Google infringed on a standard-essential patent (SEP) related to LTE acknowledgement signals (ACK), which are crucial for smartphone communication.
This ruling not only bans the sale but also prohibits the import, transfer, advertising, and public display of the Pixel 7 series devices.
Google's conduct during the proceedings was heavily criticised, with the court describing it as "insincere."
Reports indicated that the company refused to provide sales data for the Pixel 7 and ignored requests to pay reasonable royalty fees, leading to the imposition of a stringent ban.
Although Pantech no longer manufactures phones, it retains valuable wireless communication patents and is now focusing on patent enforcement through partners like IdeaHub to monetise its intellectual property.
While the current ruling affects only the Pixel 7 series, Pantech has filed new lawsuits against the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, which can also face a ban if found guilty of having committed infringements.
It should be noted that Japan is a critical market where Google has recently surpassed Samsung, becoming the second-largest smartphone brand after Apple.
