ARN

US trade agency to investigate Apple's patent complaint

Apple's complaint against Kodak follows one by Kodak against Apple

The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate complaints by Apple that Eastman Kodak violated its patents related to digital imaging devices and software, the latest dispute in a long-standing patent skirmish between the two companies.

Apple filed a so-called section 337 complaint against Kodak on April 15, alleging that the company had violated its patents related to digital imaging devices and associated software. In the complaint, Apple asked the USITC to bar Kodak from importing products containing the technology into the U.S.

The USITC announced late Thursday it would investigate the complaint by Apple.

U.S. companies alleging patent infringement by competitors often file section 337 complaints in addition to filing lawsuits. Many section 337 complaints result in a settlement.

Apple's complaint against Kodak came after the USITC, in February, voted to investigate a complaint filed by Kodak against Apple and Research In Motion. In that case, which is still pending before the USITC, Kodak alleged that Apple and RIM violated patents related to mobile phone and other devices containing digital cameras.

Kodak filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple and RIM in January. In the lawsuit, Kodak alleged that the Apple iPhone and some BlackBerry smartphones use a method for previewing camera phone images that has been patented by Kodak.

Apple responded with its own lawsuit in April. Apple's complaint against Kodak alleges that the company has infringed two patents -- one involving unified memory architecture in digital cameras, and one involving modular digital imaging processing. Several Kodak camera models infringe the patents, Apple alleged.

In the new USITC investigation, the agency will set a target date for completing the investigation within 45 days.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

More about: Apple, Apple., BlackBerry, Eastman Kodak, International Trade Commission, ITC, Kodak, Motion, Research In Motion, RIM

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: Apple, kodak, lawsuits, legal, patents, photography, USA government
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
ACA Pacific , Alloys , Aquion , Australasian PC Distributors (APCD) , Avnet Technology Solutions , Brightpoint Australia , Express Online , ICT Distribution , Leader Computers , Dynamic Supplies
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/avg/2009-09-18_71_become-an-avg-reseller
AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd

Become an AVG Reseller and Make Serious Money!

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.