Kodak sues Apple over ‘patent derailing attempts’

PanARMENIAN.Net - Photography company Eastman Kodak has filed a lawsuit against Apple to prevent the shiny gadget maker from interfering with Kodak's plans to sell its extensive patent portfolio, according to The Inquirer.

Kodak, which recently filed for bankruptcy, is claiming that Apple is trying to derail its patent sales by wrongly claiming ownership of 10 Kodak patents.

Both Apple and Kodak have been in copyright infringement lawsuits since 2010. Kodak plans to sell off up to 1,100 patents in an attempt to restructure the company following bankruptcy.

Apple and co-defendant Flashpoint are claiming that the 10 patents allegedly infringed were jointly written with Kodak in the early 1990s. Kodak's lawyers claim that the defendant's allegations are false and are only being presented in an attempt to drive down the value of Kodak's patent portfolio.

Kodak alleges that Apple regularly infringes on its patents and would stand to gain a great deal by buying Kodak's patents. The photography firm claims to have as many as 20 potential patent buyers.

"The adversary proceeding filed today with the court would enable a timely sale of our valuable patent portfolio," vice president and chief intellectual property officer Timothy Lynch told V3.

"This is another step in a process that we are confident will ultimately be resolved in Kodak's favor. At the same time, the Court has made it clear to all parties that Kodak has other avenues we can pursue for a timely sale process of our digital imaging patents, and that these options are not mutually exclusive."

The one-time photo giant has faced a difficult last few years, seeing dwindling financial reports since 2005. The company was forced to file for bankruptcy last year in an attempt to hold off creditors looking to collect.

Both Apple and Kodak have been in copyright infringement lawsuits since 2010. Last year, Kodak sued Apple alleging that it infringed patents on technology that allows consumers to preview photos on digital devices.