Nikon has today filed a lawsuit against Sigma, claiming that the independent lens maker infringed a Nikon patent relating to vibration reduction technology used in its DSLR lenses.
The lawsuit ‘seeks an injunction against Sigma’s manufacture and sale of infringing interchangeable lenses with vibration reduction for single lens reflex cameras, along with damages for past infringement?, according to Nikon in a statement posted on its website.
A report published by Reuters news agency states that Nikon is seeking the equivalent of around £95m in damages from Sigma.
Nikon claims: ‘Although Nikon attempted to resolve Sigma’s patent infringement through negotiation, a non-adversarial resolution could not be reached.
‘Consequently, Nikon concluded that filing a lawsuit was the only way it could protect its intellectual property.’
Nikon adds that it has invested ‘considerable resources’ in research and development over ‘many years’.
The patent infringement lawsuit against Sigma Corporation was filed in the Tokyo District Court.
A spokesman for Sigma Imaging UK Ltd said he was not aware of the lawsuit but would contact the firm’s head office in Japan for information.
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