Japanese court revokes Red RAW video patent

Panasonic has won a landmark appeal that invalidated Red Digital Cinema’s patent covering the capture of RAW video, a legal hurdle that previously stymied several major manufacturers. The U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruled that the patent, granted in 2015 and central to Red’s licensing strategy, lacked the requisite novelty and was vulnerable to prior‑art challenges. Panasonic’s successful petition, filed in early 2024, cited earlier implementations of uncompressed video data that predated Red’s filing, prompting the board to overturn the claim. In contrast, similar challenges mounted by Apple, Sony and Nikon were dismissed earlier this year, leaving those companies to continue negotiating licensing terms with Red.

The decision removes a significant barrier for camera makers seeking to adopt RAW video workflows without incurring additional royalty obligations. Industry observers note that the ruling could accelerate the integration of high‑dynamic‑range, log‑grade video formats across a broader range of devices, fostering greater competition and innovation in professional imaging. Panasonic’s victory also sets a precedent for future challenges to proprietary video patents, potentially reshaping licensing dynamics within the digital cinema market.