Google is facing a significant setback in Japan, even as its Pixel phones gain popularity. A recent ruling by a Japanese court has led to a ban on the sale of the Pixel 7 series smartphones in the country.
The court found that Google had violated a patent related to control signal mapping technology, which is integral to 4G communication.
This patent involves the way an acknowledgment signal (ACK) is transmitted from a base station to a device in an LTE network. According to the court, Google used this technology without permission in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro models.
The court’s decision prohibits Google from selling, importing, displaying, or transferring the Pixel 7 series in Japan. The ruling also criticized Google’s response to the case, calling it “insincere,” which contributed to the imposition of the ban. The situation could become even more problematic for Google, as Pantech, the South Korean company that filed the complaint, is now seeking to extend the ban to cover the upcoming Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 models. While it’s unclear if this will succeed, the move adds pressure on Google in a key international market.
Japan has been an important growth area for Pixel, especially after the success of the Pixel 7 series and the affordable Pixel 7a. A broader sales ban could disrupt this momentum and impact future sales in the region.
Interestingly, Pantech, the company behind the complaint, no longer manufactures smartphones. Instead, its intellectual property is being used by IdeaHub, a patent monetization group, to challenge competitors. While the ban currently only affects the Pixel 7 series, the possibility of more models being targeted in the future remains, putting Google’s position in Japan at risk.