Kodak motions to auction 1,100 digital camera patents
updated 12:50 pm EDT, Tue June 12, 2012
Patents relating to image capture and storage go up for sale
Kodak has filed a motion to sell two of its patent portfolios relating to digital imaging, as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The Kodak Imaging Systems and Services (KISS) and the Digital Capture patent portfolios contain a combined 1,100 patents for the capture, manipulation and sharing of digital images.
The Digital Capture portfolio is made up of over 700 patents covering key aspects of image capture, processing and transmission technologies utilized by digital cameras, smartphones and tablets. The KISS portfolio adds a further 400 patents relating to image analysis, manipulation, network-based services and image storage. The company's patents are said to have earned Kodak over $3 billion in licensing revenue since 2001.
A total of 20 parties have signed confidentiality agreements and received access to what Kodak calls an “electronic data room” in order to inspect the catalogs on offer. Although the companies are not known, existing licensees are said to include Samsung, LG, Motorola, and Nokia. Kodak's ongoing patent-infringement lawsuits against Apple, RIM and HTC also make the patents prime candidates for auction.
The company is said to be seeking approval by July 2, ahead of the formal auction in early August.
