Apple has faced iPhone bans in many regions and Google is the latest brand asked to stop selling its Pixel phones in Japan. The issue is related to the older Pixel models which is now embroiled in a patent dispute for which a Japanese Court has ruled against the US tech giant, banning the brand from selling some of its Pixel models in the country. 

Google has been battling the case in Japan for a while but the patent issue seems to have hit the right chord with the law authorities in the country, resulting in a sale and even display ban on the Pixel 7 series models. 

Pixels Banned In Japan: Here’s The Story 

The Japanese Court’s ruling alleges Google infringed the patent which is related to control signal mapping technology which is a crucial link to run 4G LTE networks and connectivity. The patent is claimed to be owned by Pantech which has filed the case against Google that has brought about a Pixel 7 sale, display and import ban for the company in Japan. 

However, the Court is also said to have found Google having an ‘insincere attitude’ regarding the patent dispute which seems to have been the catalyst for the ban. It might not be the big news in general but Google sees Japan has one of the better selling Pixel markets, and this ban limits its reach with the older devices. 

Pantech could have bigger plans in its mind and look to include the newer Pixel 8 and 9 series models as a part of the dispute case to get them banned in the country as well. Pixel 7 is already a three-year-old model and will most likely get up to Android 17 version in 2026. 

Even if the case drags on, Google will be more worried about the possible ban on the Pixel 8 and 9 models, which is not clear if the Court will actually see these devices also infringing the patent.