Nikon-Viltrox Lawsuit Update

credits: Nikon

It was recently reported that Nikon is suing lens maker Viltrox in China over patents related to the Z mount, and now Viltrox has finally responded publicly. The situation first surfaced a few weeks ago via Chinese sources and quickly spread across the industry, raising questions about what the lawsuit actually covers and what it could mean for Nikon Z users who rely on third-party lenses. Until now, Viltrox had largely stayed quiet, confirming only that a lawsuit exists but offering no real details.

Based on available court documents and reporting, the core of the dispute appears to involve Nikon’s Z-mount patent during its provisional period. The prevailing theory is that Nikon believes Viltrox used protected Z-mount technology (likely tied to autofocus or lens communication) before the patent was fully granted. Now that the patent is reportedly approved, Nikon may be seeking retroactive royalties for Z-mount lenses sold during that earlier window. In simpler terms, Nikon is likely arguing that it is owed licensing fees for past sales, not necessarily trying to block Viltrox lenses outright.

Viltrox’s official statement, does not address the specifics but does clarify its broader stance. The company says it takes intellectual property seriously, is working with legal advisors, and is handling the matter through proper legal channels. Importantly for photographers, Viltrox says its product roadmap and day-to-day operations remain unchanged. It also emphasised its belief in a diverse lens ecosystem and healthy competition. For now, it is unclear how or when this will be resolved, but the best-case outcome for users would be a licensing agreement that keeps existing and future Viltrox Z-mount lenses fully supported.