The full text of the decisive court ruling confirming Viltrox’s complete victory in the Z-mount patent dispute between Nikon Corporation and Chinese third-party lens manufacturer Viltrox (Shenzhen Jueying Technology Co., Ltd.) has been officially released. Global news outlet Nikon Rumors obtained and verified the full 25-page patent invalidation decision (Decision No. 661357) issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), officially confirming that Nikon’s core Z-mount patent has been declared entirely invalid.
Here is an in-depth summary of the detailed legal proceedings and the specific grounds for the invalidation of Nikon’s patent.
1. Core Legal Grounds of the CNIPA Decision: “Lack of Inventiveness”
- Patent Subject to Invalidation: Nikon’s Chinese Invention Patent No. 202010127062.4 (Title: Accessories / 附件).
- Key Claims of the Patent: A structural layout involving 4 bayonet lugs on the lens-camera coupling interface, misinsertion prevention mechanisms, and angled positioning designed to protect electronic contact groups.
- Final Panel Decision: Based on prior art documentation submitted by Viltrox (including CN103620496A published in 2014), CNIPA's specialized examination panel determined that modifying the number and angular positioning of bayonet lugs represents a routine design modification easily derived by a person skilled in the art. Applying Article 22, Paragraph 3 of the Chinese Patent Law (lack of inventiveness), CNIPA ruled claims 1 through 10 entirely invalid.
2. Potential Appeal & Market Outlook
- Nikon’s 3-Month Appeal Window: Nikon retains the right to initiate administrative litigation (an appeal) with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court within three months of receiving the formal notice of decision.
- Rapid Expansion of Third-Party AF Ecosystem: With this ruling finalized, legal barriers facing Chinese third-party manufacturers—such as Viltrox, 7Artisans, and Vaxis—developing and distributing proprietary Z-mount AF lenses have been significantly reduced.
✍️ Editor's Note
"The legal showdown between Nikon and Viltrox—once the subject of widespread speculation—has reached a definitive conclusion with the release of CNIPA's official 25-page ruling! With Nikon’s Z-mount bayonet lug and contact protection patent invalidated due to a 'lack of inventiveness,' third-party optical manufacturers like Viltrox now have a green light to accelerate Z-mount AF lens development without legal friction. It remains to be seen whether Nikon will take this to the Beijing IP Court on appeal, but the diversification of the third-party Z-mount lens market is set to gain immense momentum!"
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