Kodak’s Last Stand? Company Sues Apple for Patent Infringement
Not too long ago, Inquisitr told you that Eastman Kodak Co. is experiencing financial troubles. Now we’re reporting that the company is looking to its patent portfolio to help fund a comeback. Kodak filed lawsuits against Apple Inc. and HTC Corp. today citing infringement related to digital photography technology developed by the 131-year-old company.
Specifically, Kodak’s lawsuits accuse smartphone makers of using inventions covered by four of the company’s patents related to image transmission and sharing. Also, HTC is infringing upon a fifth patent regarding image previewing, a topic already in the middle of a U.S. International Trade Commission case against Apple and Research in Motion Ltd.
Kodak is predicted to experience its fourth annual net loss in a row, and has been putting up its imaging patents for sale in an attempt to save the company. Kodak is also following the Apple-RIM trade commission case closely, and hopes that it will generate $1 billion in new revenue.
The case has been met with several delays, with a decision on the books for September. In the meantime, Kodak filed patent complaints at the trade commission in Washington today in an attempt to block Apple and HTC imports, such as the iPad, iPhone, the Flyer tablet and the Wildfire S phone.
It may seem shady, and for good reason. However, Laura Quatela, Kodak’s COO, said this in a statement:
“We’ve had numerous discussions with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement, […] Our primary interest is not to disrupt the availability of any product but to obtain fair compensation for the unauthorized use of our technology.”
Among the devices deemed offensive and infringe-y by Kodak are Apple’s iPad 2, iPhone and iPod Touch, HTC’s tablets and phones, including the Flyer, EVO View 4G, Jetstream, Vivid, Amaze 4g, Desire, Hero S, Rezound, Rhyme, Sensation 4G and Wildfire S.
Holy infringement, Batman.
Do you think Kodak has good reason for its case against Apple Inc. and HTC Corp. or is this just a last-ditch effort to save a dying company?
