Kodak Goes After Apple and RIM for Patent Infringement

By: Nate Nelson (Contributing Writer)

Eastman Kodak Company, the world’s largest supplier of photographic films and holder of a broad spectrum of industry patents, took a few legal swings against Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd.  Two lawsuits and a formal complaint with the International Trade Commission allege that Apple and RIM have stepped on Kodak’s toes with aspects of the digital image technology in both the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones.

Perhaps feeling heady with victory thanks to recent (and similar) legal settlements with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, Kodak alleges infringement through camera-enabled iPhones and Blackberry devices.  Kodak’s patent covers the “image preview” technology, where the view from the lens is shown through the screen on the camera (or phone, in this case).  Kodak already licenses this technology to about 30 companies, including other mobile device makers.

Kodak also indicated they did not want to interrupt the availability of iPhones or BlackBerry devices with this lawsuit, but were looking to be fairly compensated for their patented technologies.  Both Apple and RIM are grizzled veterans of the legal process and frequent targets for similar lawsuits.  Some of the most recent legal action has seen Apple is in the middle of a major patent dispute with Nokia Corp, and RIM settling a dispute with Saxon Innovations LLC in September.

Like most companies in most industries, Kodak is battling financial problems, and their revenues have been down across the board.  Financial analysts estimate that 10% to 15% of Kodak’s gross profit in 2009 will come from patent licensing, which is predicted to be $175 million to $200 million.  This next level of action against Apple and RIM would help Kodak strengthen their legal position, as well as help them realize their goal of $250 million to $350 million in annual intellectual-property licensing revenue. So what do you think folks? I smell a little desperation here.

(via WSJ.com)