Nikon vs. Viltrox – Chinese Patent Office Declares Nikon's Z-Mount Patent Invalid

Nikon may be losing its fight against third-party Z mount lenses

Reports suggest one of Nikon’s Z-mount patents has been nullified in China Richard Butler Reports are emerging that Nikon has had one of its Z-mount patents invalidated in China, opening the door a little further to third-party access. Nikon Rumors reports that one of Nikon’s fundamental patents relating to the Z-mount has been invalidated in China, having been challenged by Viltrox’s parent company. The report, based on AI translations of c…

Nikon vs. Viltrox – Chinese Patent Office Declares Nikon's Z-Mount Patent Invalid

China’s patent office has declared one of Nikon’s Z-mount-related patents entirely invalid, handing lens maker Viltrox a significant win in the legal dispute between the two companies. Nikon can still appeal the ruling in court, but for now, a key patent in its case against the Shenzhen-based manufacturer is off the table in China. Viltrox has grown from a maker of lens mount adapters into one of the most prolific third-party lens manufacturers …