Kodak sues Apple and RIM over camera patents

Eastman Kodak is in the process of suing Apple inc and Research In Motion over alleged camera patents within the iPhone and some of the RIM mobile phone range.

The well known camera maker, who has a long standing history of innovation in the market of photography, has filed a complaint about Apple to the US International Trade Commission (ITC) as well as a complaint about Blackberry phones – stating that the mobile devices violate its patent for colour image previewing.

Eastman Kodak has also made two separate complaints to the US District Court for the Western District of New York, stating that Apple infringes patents on ‘focusing on colour image previewing as well as processing’ and the another on ‘digital-camera and computer-process technology’.

The colour imaging patent in question  (US patent number 6,292,218) was recently at the heart of a legal battle between both Kodak and Samsung, for which Kodak won. The patent infringement, which was properly settled a few days ago, finally came to a stop when Samsung agreed to sign a cross over deal < which would allow Samsung to use Kodak’s technologies.

And so it would seem that both RIM and Apple will have to bow down this time, but with the Apple and Nokia lawsuit heating up < with both sides throwing food at each other, just how much more credibility could Apple lose for innovation?

On a further note, Kodak has specified that they do not want any of the infringing products taken of the market, however do want compensation from each company – as well as the devices that do infringe its patents to not be able to be imported to the US < well, that would be a good million or so wasted then.

Currently, other companies are already using Kodak’s patents in accordance with them, these companies include Nokia, SE, Motorola and LG – for which each company has signed a cross over.

“Kodak has a long history of digital-imaging innovation, and we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars creating our industry-leading patent portfolio,” Laura Quatela, the company’s intellectual property chief publically said in a statement.

“In the case of Apple and RIM, we’ve had discussions for years with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue amicably, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement. In light of that, we are taking this action to ensure that we protect the interests of our shareholders and the existing licensees of our technology.”