Several readers have contacted me to report that Nikon’s Chinese Z-mount patent (202010127062.4) was declared fully invalid by CNIPA:
I have very limited informtion on this, and no official source, so here is the AI recap based on the tips I received (see previous coverage of the Nikon vs. Viltrox lawsuit):
Update/confirmed – Nikon lost the patent lawsuit against Viltrox in China:
Confirmed: Nikon lost the patent lawsuit against Viltrox in China
The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has declared one of Nikon’s key Chinese Z-mount-related patents fully invalid.
On 17 July 2026, the Patent Reexamination and Invalidation Department issued Decision No. 661357 (case 4W121438) on patent application/patent number 202010127062.4. The invention is titled simply “配件” (Accessories). The patentee is listed as 株式会社尼康 (Nikon Corporation). The invalidation request was filed by 深圳市爵影科技有限公司 (Shenzhen Jueying Technology Co., Ltd.), the company behind the Viltrox brand.
The decision states: 宣告专利权全部无效 (the patent rights are declared entirely invalid). The stated reason is that the technical solution lacks inventiveness (不具备创造性).
Nikon has three months from the date of receipt of the decision to file an appeal with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court. Until any appeal is resolved (or the deadline passes without an appeal), the patent remains in force.
What the patent covers
This is the same patent (and a closely related one, ZL202010129174.3, also titled “配件”) that featured in Nikon’s earlier lawsuit against Viltrox and related companies in the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court. That case, filed in early 2026 and heard on March 2nd 2026, concerned usage fees for temporary protection period-related technology.
Chinese reports describe the current invalidation as a direct counter-move by Viltrox.
Chinese coverage consistently describes 202010127062.4 as relating to Z-mount electronic communication/interface technology used in accessories and lenses. It is not a patent on the entire mechanical Z-mount itself.
A second related patent (202010129174.3) was also referenced in the earlier court coverage, but the decision published this month applies only to 202010127062.4.
Chinese photography media are framing the ruling as significant for domestic third-party Z-mount lens makers. Several reports note that brands such as Viltrox, 7Artisans and others may now face lower barriers when developing full autofocus Z-mount lenses, at least with respect to this specific patent.
It does not mean the entire Z-mount system or all of Nikon’s related patents in China have been invalidated.
Detailed report on the Nikon and third-party Chinese Z-mount lens manufacturers
Viltrox filed a patent in China that involves the Nikon Z-mount
Stores and distributors in China are removing all Sirui Z-mount lenses
