Is Nikon pulling a Canon? What the Viltrox lawsuit rumors mean for the future of Z-mount lenses

• Nikon is rumored to be suing cheap Chinese lens maker Viltrox
• The legal action relates to alleged Z-mount patent infringements
• A hearing is seemingly set for March 2

I'm a big fan of Nikon cameras and Viltrox lenses, but it seems that all is not well between the pair according to The New Camera, who reports that Nikon is suing the cheap Chinese lens maker for alleged Z-mount patent infringements.

Reports on Chinese social media suggest the infringements relate to a “dispute regarding royalties during the temporary protection period of an invention patent”. It's not clear which Viltrox lens(es) are in question, although there is speculation around the 135mm f/1.8 LAB, which costs just a fraction of the pricy Nikon 135mm f/1.8 S Plena – two incredible prime lenses that I have tested.

The timing of Nikon's action is hardly surprising – Viltrox is one of the fastest growing third-party lens makers and is likely now in a position to settle any royalty fees it may or may not be required to pay.

Nikon Rumors further unpacks the case, suggesting several potential outcomes, the most drastic of which could be a cease and desist, as per the Canon vs Viltrox case in 2022 regarding Canon's RF-mount.

Nikon fans will surely be hoping for a different outcome and that Viltrox is able to continue launching new and affordable Z-mount lenses. After all, Viltrox's recent autofocus lenses are superb quality, being affordable alternatives for Nikon users looking for high-quality primes, even if Viltrox is yet to make zoom lenses.

The counter argument is that because Viltrox is known to reverse engineer lenses (allegedly with no license), while other third-party lens makers such as Sigma and Tamron license their own lenses for different mounts, that it's only fair for Viltrox to pay Nikon some kind of royalties.

A potential middle ground would be that Viltrox continues to launch new Z-mount lenses, while paying Nikon royalties, which would inevitably increase the prices of Viltrox lenses. Sony's E-mount, on the other hand, is seemingly completely open to third parties such as Viltrox. But how could the case affect current and future Viltrox Z-mount lenses?

'Will my [Viltrox] lens become a brick?' – potential outcomes of the case

Understandably, users of Nikon cameras and Viltrox Z-mount lenses are concerned about the impact on their existing lenses. 'Will my [Viltrox] lens become a brick?' is a question cropping up on Chinese social media.

There's a fear that Nikon could release a camera firmware update for its current cameras, such as the Z6 III, Z8, Zf and others, that breaks compatibility with Viltrox lenses. Such a concern, which there's currently no evidence for, is leading users to suggest avoiding camera firmware updates until they know more.

Of course, we're getting ahead of ourselves here, given that the case is still rumored and not even underway. We don't know if Viltrox had or did not have a license for the alleged infringement.

But as a user of Nikon's Z-mount cameras and lenses and Viltrox Z-mount lenses, I hope that I continue having the wide lens choice that I currently have, and that more lenses from both are in the pipeline.

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