A Japanese court has ruled that Google’s Pixel 7 series infringes on patents held by Pantech, leading to a sales ban of these devices in Japan.
The patent involved covers control signal mapping technology for LTE networks, specifically the process of sending acknowledgment signals (ACK) from base stations to terminals, a key component of 4G communication standards.
The court cited Google’s “insincere attitude” during the dispute as a factor in the decision, resulting in a prohibition on selling, displaying, transferring, or importing Pixel 7 series smartphones in Japan.
Pantech, a South Korean mobile company that has suspended its smartphone business, is pursuing similar sales bans against Google’s upcoming Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series in Japan, though the outcomes remain uncertain.
While this ban may have limited effect on Google, further restrictions could impact the company’s performance in Japan, a market where Pixel devices experienced significant growth in 2023, especially with the Pixel 7a model.
The dispute involves IdeaHub, a patent monetization firm associated with Pantech.