Kodak Alleges Patent Infringement

Eastman Kodak Co. announced that it has filed lawsuits against Apple Inc. and Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) alleging the infringement of its digital imaging technology.

In the complaint, which was filed with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), Kodak seeks a limited exclusion order preventing the importation of infringing devices, including certain mobile telephones and wireless communications devices featuring digital cameras.

The complaint specifically claims that Apple’s iPhones and RIM’s camera-enabled BlackBerry devices infringe a Kodak patent for technology related to previewing images. Separately, Kodak filed two suits against Apple in US District Court for the Western District of New York that claim the infringement of patents related to digital cameras and certain computer processes.

Kodak has licensed digital imaging technology to approximately 30 companies, including LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson; all are royalty-bearing to Kodak.

In the first suit against Apple in US District Court, Kodak alleges infringement of two patents generally covering image preview and the processing of images of different resolutions. In the second suit, Kodak alleges infringement of patents that describe a method by which a computer program can “ask for help” from another application to carry out certain computer-oriented functions.

In both District Court actions against Apple, Kodak is seeking to permanently enjoin Apple from further infringement.

For more information, visit: www.kodak.com