Nikon’s Acquisition of RED Stirring Controversy in RAW Video Technology

By Moon Harper

Mar 11, 2024 05:58 AM EDT

Nikon has revealed its plans to acquire the cinema camera company RED after a legal dispute over RAW video patents. Initially, Nikon did not include the promised RAW video feature in its Nikon Z9 camera, but later, it incorporated it, which led to a lawsuit initiated by RED. Nikon's response to the situation is: If you cannot beat them, buy them.

RED was founded by James Jannard, who also started Oakley in 2005 and launched its first camera, the RED One, in 2007. Since then, the company has introduced a range of cinema cameras. What made RED stand out is that their cameras were made affordable for independent filmmakers and small/medium production companies.

Is Nikon Finally Doing Cinema?

Nikon made a significant move in 2008 by introducing video capabilities in DSLRs with the Nikon D90. This decision was well-received despite Nikon's lack of experience in cinema or broadcast, unlike other major mirrorless camera companies like Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, and Panasonic, which have a strong background in cinema and broadcast equipment.

Nikon faced challenges in this regard, taking several new body releases before implementing basic features like manual exposure control. However, they have since made substantial progress in camera development. Now, with the acquisition of RED, Nikon firmly establishes itself in the cinema world, leveraging RED's respected brand and products. While RED's promises, marketing, and legal tactics may have drawn criticism, its products are highly regarded, further enhancing Nikon's position in the industry.

The RED-Nikon Lawsuit

RED emerged in 2005 with ambitious promises that initially fell short. However, in 2009, the first major Hollywood film primarily shot on RED cameras, District 9, was released.

During RED's camera development, the company patented its 4K and higher resolution RAW process, which led to accusations of impeding the cinema camera industry with aggressive patent enforcement.

RED pursued legal action against Nikon after Nikon introduced firmware 2.0, enabling ProRes RAW and N-RAW video recording on the Nikon Z9. Nikon disputed the patent infringement claims, asserting that the patents should not have been granted. The details of the lawsuit are unknown, but Nikon chose a direct solution: buying RED.

The Implications of RED's Acquisition

Nikon now owns the RAW patents previously held by RED, resolving legal disputes between the two companies. This also means that other companies, like Atomos, who have licensed these patents from RED to enable RAW video in their products, will now pay Nikon royalties instead. This shift in ownership may influence how RAW video technology is implemented in cameras moving forward.

While Nikon highly values its intellectual property, this development could benefit the industry. Nikon has shown a more open approach with its Z lens mount than other manufacturers.

There is a possibility that Nikon might take a different approach from RED and begin licensing the patents to more companies, which could potentially lead to the long-awaited RAW video revolution.

Even if Nikon does not take this route, now that they own the rights, we will likely see RAW video implemented in more Nikon mirrorless cameras in the future.