A recent court ruling has barred Google from selling Pixel 7 series smartphones in Japan due to a patent infringement, despite the devices' popularity in the country. The court found Google guilty of violating a patent related to control signal mapping technology in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro models, leading to a ban on their sale, import, display, and transfer in Japan.
This setback comes at a time when Pixel phones have gained significant traction in Japan, becoming the second most popular brand after Apple. The court's decision was influenced by Google's perceived insincere attitude towards the legal case, further complicating the situation for the tech giant in one of its promising international markets.
The company behind the patent infringement complaint, Pantech, is now seeking to expand the ban to include newer models such as the Pixel 8 and upcoming Pixel 9 series. This ongoing legal battle poses a threat to Google's foothold in Japan and could potentially disrupt its sales momentum in the region.
This legal dispute with Pantech, a company no longer active in the smartphone market, highlights the complexities of intellectual property rights in the tech industry. As Google navigates through these legal challenges in Japan, the future of its Pixel devices in the country remains uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing legal battle.
