A Japanese court has issued a comprehensive ban on the sale and promotion of Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones after determining they violate a patent owned by the South Korean firm Pantech.
The Tokyo District Court ruled that Google infringed on a standard-essential patent (SEP) tied to 4G LTE communication. Specifically, the patent relates to how mobile devices send “acknowledgement signals” (ACK) to cell towers—an essential function for maintaining consistent LTE network performance. The court stated that Google failed to secure the appropriate license to use this technology.
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As a result, the court has banned not just the sale of the Pixel 7 series in Japan, but also their import, advertising, distribution, and public display. This ruling is a major setback for Google in the Japanese market, where the Pixel brand had been growing in popularity.
Court Criticizes Google’s Conduct
In its decision, the court also condemned Google’s behavior throughout the case, labeling the company’s attitude as “insincere.” This lack of cooperation—such as not providing requested data on Pixel 7 sales—played a role in the strictness of the verdict. Japan’s judicial system values transparency and cooperation, and Google’s failure to meet these expectations was seen as a serious offense.
Court documents also revealed that Google neither paid licensing fees nor adhered to court directives, which further influenced the harsh outcome.
Pantech: Out of Phones, Into Patents
Although Pantech is no longer active in the smartphone industry, it continues to hold valuable patents related to mobile communications. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus to monetizing its intellectual property, often through legal action in collaboration with patent enforcement firm IdeaHub.
This case represents one of Pantech’s most significant victories. The company has previously taken legal action against other tech firms like OnePlus, BLU, and Niantic, achieving a mix of settlements and court decisions.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 Also in Legal Crosshairs
While the court ruling currently applies only to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Pantech has already launched new legal actions against Google, this time targeting the Pixel 8 and the unreleased Pixel 9. The same LTE patent is at the center of these lawsuits.
If the new cases are successful, the resulting bans could disrupt Google’s future product roadmap in Japan. The Pixel 8 is a key model in Google’s current lineup, and the Pixel 9 is expected to lead its upcoming releases.
Industry experts warn that even the uncertainty surrounding legal battles could damage the Pixel brand in Japan, as consumer confidence may be shaken—whether or not newer models are ultimately banned.
