Could This Viltrox Move Win the Lawsuit with Nikon?

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Last Updated on 06/03/2026 by Chris Gampat

Viltrox has been one of the third-party lens makers that have made things better for young photographers. The company has designed some wonderful focal ranges, some of which work wonderfully with Nikon cameras. However, it appears that amidst the Viltrox-Nikon lawsuit that we reported earlier, the company is now reportedly working on a new patent. Have a look.

First reported by Nikon Rumors, Viltrox has filed patent CN 309984573 S that was applied in 2025. The grant was officially given May 15, 2026, and is said to protect the appearance of the lens ring. In other words, it will not change the mechanical or electronics functions, but rather help the lens-mount ring to match Nikon’s Z-mount standard. This includes 55mm inner diameter, short flange distance, and specific lug geometry.

A circular white mechanical part shown in multiple 2D and 3D views with blue highlights.

Chinese patent document with a technical drawing of a circular mechanical part in the bottom right corner.

Viltrox, thus, can protect the way their Z-mount lenses look, but now how they work.

Two views of a camera lens adapter: one angled, one front-facing, on a white background.

The patent could be a result of the lawsuit filed earlier this year. Nikon sued Viltrox in China at the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court over the reported infringement of Z-mount-related patents. The lawsuit claims that Viltrox used Nikon’s protected technology, especially when the patent was pending. Nikon is now asking for payment for those sales. Many blogs and forums in China suggest that the filing is a deliberate and calculated response.

So, what can this mean? It could be a way for Viltrox to shield itself and build a layer of IP protection. This can make it challenging for brands, including Nikon, to claim that their lenses are indistinguishable copies. It also helps with negotiating leverage, in case there is a lawsuit. Design patents give manufacturers a strong footing at the table. This tactic, if it works out on the court, can further help other third-party lenses from getting Nikon at them.

Viltrox has been making lenses for Nikon, Sony, Leica and Fujifilm mounts for years. The company has only earned praise for this from photographers. These lenses are also cost-effective against first-party variants. It remains to be seen if this can be used against Nikon in the future. For now, we have to wait and watch.