Google Pixel 7 Sales Banned in Japan Over LTE Patent Dispute with Pantech

In a major legal blow, Google has been banned from selling its Pixel 7 series smartphones in Japan following a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Korean mobile phone maker Pantech. A Tokyo district court ruled that Google violated a patent related to LTE communication technology, specifically how the Pixel 7's modem connects to mobile towers.

The court found that Google used Pantech's patented LTE tech without proper licensing. Notably, the patent was not offered under FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) terms, and Google reportedly refused to pay royalties or disclose Pixel 7 sales figures in Japan—leading to the ban.

Japan is a key market for Google, where it ranks as the second-largest smartphone vendor after Apple, outperforming both Samsung and Xiaomi. The ban could therefore have significant implications for its hardware business in the region.

Adding fuel to the fire, Pantech is now suing Google again, this time targeting the newer Pixel 8 and upcoming Pixel 9 series. If Google doesn’t reach a licensing agreement soon, those devices could also face bans in Japan.

As the dispute escalates, all eyes are on Google’s next move—whether it will negotiate a settlement or risk losing ground in one of its most important markets.