Eastman Kodak is after your iPhone AND they want to take away your BlackBerry.
They won't come and pry the device out of your hand, but they definitely want to halt the phones from being imported until they get their piece of the pie.
Eastman Kodak claims that Apple Computers and Research in Motion are guilty of infringement of patents. Kodak has taken the step to request the U.S. International Trade Commission prevent both companies from importing their smart phones into the United States. Nokia filed a similar complaint in December 2009.
Kodak says both companies have infringed on patents regarding digital imaging, Apple for its iPhone and Research in Motion for its BlackBerry phone. The companies had been negotiating with Kodak to settle the potential compensation matter, but those talks broke down after neither side could break the impasse.
Kodak wants to ban devices with touch screens, like the Apple iPhone, the BlackBerry Storm and other camera phones such as the Tour, Bold, Curve and Pearl. The main issue is the built-in cameras. Kodak has more than 1,000 patents involving digital imaging.
Kodak's complaint says the iPhone and BlackBerry infringe on the patent approved in 2001 regarding the ability to preview images. Kodak made more than $622 million on intellectual property last year and expects to receive more than $450 million in royalty this year from Samsung. It is seeking a similar agreement with Apple and Research in Motion.
The ITC has 45 days to decide whether it will consider the complaint and would hold a hearing about the matter within the next year. Kodak has filed a similar suit against Samsung and LG and currently has licensing agreements with both companies, as well as Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia.
This is just another round in the smartphone war. Apple filed a complaint against Nokia with the USITC last month that was designed to block the import of Nokia's Oyj phone into the United States. The ITC has agreed to consider the complaint. Nokia, the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones, filed its own complaint to ban imports of the iPhone, iPod and MacBook. The USITC said it would review that complaint, too.
Source: Better Trades
They won't come and pry the device out of your hand, but they definitely want to halt the phones from being imported until they get their piece of the pie.
Eastman Kodak claims that Apple Computers and Research in Motion are guilty of infringement of patents. Kodak has taken the step to request the U.S. International Trade Commission prevent both companies from importing their smart phones into the United States. Nokia filed a similar complaint in December 2009.
Kodak wants to ban devices with touch screens, like the Apple iPhone, the BlackBerry Storm and other camera phones such as the Tour, Bold, Curve and Pearl. The main issue is the built-in cameras. Kodak has more than 1,000 patents involving digital imaging.
Kodak's complaint says the iPhone and BlackBerry infringe on the patent approved in 2001 regarding the ability to preview images. Kodak made more than $622 million on intellectual property last year and expects to receive more than $450 million in royalty this year from Samsung. It is seeking a similar agreement with Apple and Research in Motion.
The ITC has 45 days to decide whether it will consider the complaint and would hold a hearing about the matter within the next year. Kodak has filed a similar suit against Samsung and LG and currently has licensing agreements with both companies, as well as Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia.This is just another round in the smartphone war. Apple filed a complaint against Nokia with the USITC last month that was designed to block the import of Nokia's Oyj phone into the United States. The ITC has agreed to consider the complaint. Nokia, the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones, filed its own complaint to ban imports of the iPhone, iPod and MacBook. The USITC said it would review that complaint, too.
Source: Better Trades
