Nikon Z-Mount Patent Invalidated in China After Viltrox Challenge

A Chinese court has invalidated one of Nikon's Z-mount patents after a legal challenge from Viltrox's parent company, per Nikon Rumors reporting based on translated court documents. The patent covered fundamental physical mount design — bayonet-style incorrect-mounting prevention and contact protection — features that patent expert Professor Robert Newman had previously told Amateur Photographer he'd be surprised held up in court. This ruling doesn't clear third parties to build Z-mount lenses freely: Nikon holds at least 12 further patents covering the mount's electronic communication protocols, none of which are affected by this decision.