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Kodak sues Apple, RIM over phone camera patents

updated 11:05 am EST, Thu January 14, 2010

Kodak claims iPhone, BlackBerry violate patents


Kodak today said it will sue Apple and Research in Motion over alleged patent infringement in their phones' cameras. The complaints assert that the iPhone and BlackBerry copy Kodak technology for previewing photos and generating different resolutions for them. Specific to Apple, the camera maker also claims that Apple is treading on a patent for asking one app to help another in completing a task.

Chief IP officer Laura Quatela claims that Kodak has been in talks for "years" with Apple and RIM but hasn't reached an agreement. Other phone makers, including LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, already pay license fees to Kodak. LG and Motorola are particularly connected to Kodak as both have used Schneider-Kreuznach lenses, sensors and other technology in camera phones.

The plaintiff points to previous cases that have supported the validity of its patents, including a settlement with Sun in 2004 and Samsung's defeat in mid-December.

Kodak maintains that it tries to avoid lawsuits "whenever possible." However, the company is not only suing Apple in a Western District of New York court but filing a separate complaint with the US International Trade Commission that, if successful, would ban Apple and RIM from shipping iPhones and BlackBerries to the US.

Apple doesn't typically comment on lawsuits but has regularly fought against patent claims rather than voluntarily agree to royalties or settlements. It notably countersued Nokia and accused the Finnish phone producer of copying the iPhone when it couldn't compete fairly.


By Electronista Staff

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TAGS :  

iPhone, industry, digital imaging, Nokia, Kodak, BlackBerry, Research in Motion, ITC, Apple

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Previous Comments

  1. WiseWeasel

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 1999

    +8
    01/14, 11:38am | report spam | reply

    Wow

    So Kodak was awarded a software patent for reinventing the concept of a software library, but on a camera? Further evidence of our hopelessly broken software patent system.


  1. Haroscarfel

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2007

    +2
    01/14, 12:14pm | report spam | reply

    .

    i wonder if " clicking graphical element to cause predetermined reaction" is filed for yet. I think ill patent that. btw i copyrighted this message and will sue any one who patents my idea. and I will sue any one who make a funny comment based on my post after you are successfully commented back for your funny comment of mine. watch out.


  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    +2
    01/14, 12:20pm | report spam | reply

    Settlements support the validity?

    Settlements don't support the validity of anything. A settlement is not an admission of guilt, it is only an agreement to not pursue the issue further.


  1. c4rlob

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2009

    +3
    01/14, 12:39pm | report spam | (2 replies) | reply

    LG, Motorola and Nokia ain't no Apple.

    It all makes sense now, why electronics and mobile technology in the U.S. drags behind Asia and has sucked for such a long time. These lazy barely-breathing corporations that go around suing everyone who attempts to improve on the c*** that is already out there.

    If Koday expects Apple to go away like LG, Mororola and Nokia, they got another thing coming to them. NONE of those companies produce portable computers in the U.S. to use as a defense. Unless Kodak also plans to sue Apple for the camera preview technology on their portable MacBooks as well? And the iPhone isn't even 3 years old yet. What does Kodak mean they've been in discussions "for years"?


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +3
    01/14, 01:01pm | report spam | reply

    Re: Settlements support the validity?

    They do depending on how it was settled.

    But, more importantly, did you miss where they also won in court against Samsung?


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +2
    01/14, 01:05pm | report spam | reply

    Re: ain't no apple

    And the iPhone isn't even 3 years old yet. What does Kodak mean they've been in discussions "for years"?

    First, the article states they've been in discussions with Apple AND RIM for years. (Oh, right, who cares about RIM, this is all about Apple).

    Second, last I checked, "years" is the plural of "year", which implies two or more. As you say, the iPhone is over 2 years old. Ergo, "years".

    Finally, isn't anyone giving Kodak props for being quick about this? Everyone usually complains that companies just sit back, wait a decade, then insist on payout. Kodak apparently has been in contact with Apple since early in the iPhone's life.


  1. Salty

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Jul 2005

    +4
    01/14, 02:31pm | report spam | reply

    Imagine

    I imagine this is actually Apple at fault. Kodak while their products might not be that great, from what I've seen does spend a fair bit of money and effort on research. For example they and Fujifilm actually pioneered the whole solid state memory in digital camera things if I remember right... that kinda turned around and bit them. I imagine patents are a good way for them to make money given their failing consumer image. I seriously wonder how this will affect how iPhoto does prints, aren't those still handled by Kodak?


  1. c4rlob

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2009

    +5
    01/14, 03:23pm | report spam | reply

    Re: Imagine

    You raise an interesting point about iPhoto prints. I'm pretty sure Kodak use to be part of the iPhoto print ordering service, but I no longer see their logo or name in the latest version of iPhoto. Maybe Kodak felt like taking some revenge?


  1. Marook

    Forum Regular

    Joined: May 1999

    +5
    01/14, 04:18pm | report spam | reply

    Sue the whole computer industry!

    >The complaints assert that the iPhone and BlackBerry copy Kodak technology for previewing photos and generating different resolutions for them. Specific to Apple, the camera maker also claims that Apple is treading on a patent for asking one app to help another in completing a task.

    If they have a patent that protect 'previewing photos and generating different resolutions for them' then they should just sue the complete computer industry! Every single computer today does that. Do they get royalties from Adobe? GIMP? Preview.app?

    This loose software patent s*** is so stupid. If it was the compression algorithm, I could understand it.. but it seems like just the idea is patented.. or?

    And 'asking one app to help another in completing a task' is just as stupid. Every application on the planet does that! Do they get paid for PHP, AppleScript, Perl, Bash, SH, VBScript?

    Give me a f.... break!


  1. luckyday

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    0
    01/14, 05:17pm | report spam | reply

    Marook

    Please don't assume that all the patent says is that Kodak has the right to the idea of "reviewing photos and generating different resolutions for them". Patents are fairly complicated and need to be specific. They aren't like trademarks. You don't really know what you're talking about. Look at the actual patent if you are so worried.

    As much as patent law seems ridiculous to me on its face (and as much as I'd like to have the best hardware possible), patent law enables a company to spend substantial funds on R & D and product development without having to worry about another company implementing their already developed ideas for cheap.


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