Z-Mount Patent Dispute: Nikon Fails in Lawsuit Against Viltrox in China

[10:11 Thu,30.July 2026 ï¿½ by Thomas Richter] ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½

Surprising development in the patent dispute between Nikon and Chinese lens manufacturer Viltrox, which has been ongoing since early 2026: The responsible authority (China National Intellectual Property Administration) declared Nikon&s Z-mount patent 202010127062.4 completely invalid on July 17, 2026.

According to Chinese reports, the patent describes electronic communication and interface technologies for Z-mount lenses and accessories—primarily communication protocols between the camera and lens for operating autofocus, rather than the mechanical Z-mount bayonet itself. The authority cited a lack of inventive step as the reason for the invalidation. The request for invalidation had been filed by Shenzhen Jueying Technology Co., Ltd., the company behind Viltrox—Chinese media describe this as a direct counter-reaction to Nikon&s lawsuit.

Background: Nikon issues cease-and-desist orders to third-party manufacturers

As a reminder:

Since January 2026, Nikon had not only taken action against Viltrox, but had also issued cease-and-desist orders to practically all Chinese third-party manufacturers of Z-mount AF lenses. The first hearing at the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court took place on March 2, 2026. Nikon was demanding retroactive licensing fees for sales during the provisional protection period of the patent as well as royalties for future sales. In response, Sirui and Meike preemptively removed their Z-mount AF lenses from the Chinese market.

What does the decision mean?

Formally, the patent remains valid until potential appeal proceedings are concluded. Nikon has three months from receipt of service to appeal to the Beijing Intellectual Property Court. A second, related patent is not yet affected by this decision.

If the ruling stands, it would mean that third-party manufacturers like Viltrox, 7Artisans, and others could offer AF lenses for the Nikon Z-mount with fewer licensing barriers, at least with regard to this specific patent. This would strengthen providers of such solutions—though there is concern that, following the failed lawsuit and the absence of the demanded retroactive royalties, Nikon might also escalate matters and restrict the functionality of unlicensed third-party products via firmware updates.

Previously, Nikon had relied on licensed partnerships such as those with Sigma, Tamron, Voigtländer, and ZEISS as a model for the Z-mount ecosystem. This allowed Nikon to benefit from license fees on the one hand, and from a more attractive and diverse range of lenses on the other. However, how Nikon will now react to the new situation regarding unlicensed third-party providers remains to be seen until after the decision in the appeal proceedings, which are considered to have only low chances of success. The next step, even before blocking the affected lenses, would be license negotiations. Observers view the invalidation request critically, as Chinese courts grant such requests by domestic companies at an above-average rate—very much in the interest of their own industry, which can thus reap the benefits of technologies from Western manufacturers license-free.

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deutsche Version dieser Seite: Nikon scheitert mit Klage gegen Viltrox in China