Apple claims to own patents Kodak is using to get loans
updated 08:45 pm EST, Fri January 20, 2012
Apple hopes to derail Kodak lawsuit via loan terms
Apple in an objection (PDF) late this week hoped to stop Kodak from getting some loans to recover from its bankruptcy status based on patent disputes. The iPhone producer asserted that Kodak, in using its patents as collateral, was using "certain patents" for digital camera technology that were either Apple's or were still the subject of lawsuits. Kodak had "misappropriated" Apple technology and tried to patent it on its own, Apple said, prompting the 2010 countering lawsuit.
Among the issues was a central patent for a digital camera that can preview the image on an LCD. Apple was not only supposed to own the patent but was owed the licensing fees that LG, Motorola, Sony, and others were paying.
The claims stemmed partly from Apple's early teamwork with Kodak on the QuickTake line of cameras from 1994 to 1997.
Whether or not the claims are accurate, Apple may be using Kodak's weakened state as a bargaining tactic to have it reach a settlement or drop its patent complaints. Just as it was prepared to declare bankruptcy, Kodak filed a rash of lawsuits in an attempt to collect extra cash, targeting Apple, HTC and Samsung. Facing the threat of lost financing and possible liquidation could push Kodak to accept a deal. [via AppleInsider]
