Re: The Truth about Nikon Sensors (finally) ... for All the S...
What may not be obvious here is the extent to which Sony and Nikon cross-license their intellectual property. I'll bet many hundreds of Sony patents may be implicated in Nikon's D850 sensors (and maybe vice versa, though Nikon's patent portfolio is smaller than Sony's). I've seen a number of large companies developing other types of ICs do this. They appear to be (and actually are) engaged in independent innovative activity, but much of that innovation improves upon or incorporates approaches covered by an adversary's patents. For a variety of business reasons, companies will cross-license these "patent thickets" to each other, in essence declaring a cease fire in exchange for access to each other's technology (be it design or fabrication). I remember one case I was involved with that concerned a cross license of over 5,000 patents on each side.
That said, I hardly think it matters all that much to us as end users. We are fortunate to be the beneficiary of fabulous technology (of which the D850 is a terrific example). I can't wait to get mine, and use it alongside my A9.
Sep 13, 2017 at 02:36 AM
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