Nikon Loses Viltrox Patent Case in China

China's patent authority CNIPA has ruled against Nikon in a case brought by Viltrox, invalidating a Nikon patent covering the mechanical and electrical interface design for camera mount accessories. The patent in question relates to Z-mount compatible lens mounting — specifically the arrangement of protrusions, electrical contact placement, and locking geometry that prevents mis-mounting. Viltrox filed the invalidation request in December 2025; the decision was issued 17 July 2026. Full court documents (25 pages, in Chinese) are published by Nikon Rumors.