The Eastman Kodak Company says it's filed lawsuits against Apple and Research In Motion. It's complaining to the US International Trade Commission that Apple’s iPhones and RIM’s camera-enabled BlackBerry devices infringe a Kodak patent that covers technology for previewing images – and it's also filed legal cases in New York claiming that other digital camera and computer patents have been infringed.
Laura G Quatela, Chief Intellectual Property Officer and Vice President of the Eastman Kodak Company, said "We’ve had discussions for years with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue amicably, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement. In light of that, we are taking this action to ensure that we protect the interests of our shareholders and the existing licensees of our technology. Our primary interest is not to disrupt the availability of any product but to obtain fair compensation for the use of our technology."
Kodak also pointed out that it has agreed royalty-bearing licenses for its digital imaging technology with approximately 30 companies. Its mobile partners include Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG and Samsung.