World of Patents
Kodak Sues Sony Over Digital Camera Patents
Tue Mar 9, 7:14 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co., the No. 1 maker of photographic film, on Tuesday said it had filed suit against Japan's Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news) (news - web sites). alleging that the consumer electronics company infringed 10 of Kodak's patents related to digital photography.
Rochester, New York-based Kodak, in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in New York, alleged that Sony's products use technology invented by Kodak, including an "electronic camera utilizing image compression and digital storage."
Kodak and Sony are among the leaders in sales of digital cameras, which do not use film and record images on computer chips and built-in memory cards.
The lawsuit comes at a time when Kodak is undergoing a tough transition toward digital products amid the decline of its film business.
Kodak's patents in question date from 1987 to 2003 on inventions related to a range of tasks, such as reproducing video images, printing, previewing and storing images.
Kodak spokesman Gerard Meuchner said the lawsuit follows the failure of talks between the companies that Kodak hoped would produce a licensing pact.
"We have attempted to resolve the matter with Sony for almost three years, and the discussions between us have not led to a suitable licensing agreement," he said.
In a statement, Sony said it "has not violated any Kodak patent related to digital imaging and will vigorously defend any allegation made in this regard."
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against further use of the technology and monetary damages.
Kodak already has licensing agreements with rival camera makers Olympus Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
Shares of Kodak closed off 47 cents, or 1.8 percent, at $26.36 on the New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites).
U.S.-listed shares of Sony slipped 4 cents or 0.1 percent to end at $40.93 on the NYSE.
Posted by Craig at March 10, 2004 10:09 PM