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View Full Version : Kodak Sues Sony Over Digital Imaging Patents


Jason Dunn
03-09-2004, 06:41 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=4529513&section=news' target='_blank'>http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=4529513&section=news</a><br /><br /></div>"Camera and film maker Eastman Kodak Co. on Tuesday said it has filed suit against Japan's Sony Corp. alleging the consumer electronics company infringed on 10 of Kodak's patents related to digital cameras and imaging. In a suit filed in a New York Federal Court, Rochester, New York-based Kodak alleged that Sony's products use technology invented by Kodak, including an "electronic camera utilizing image compression and digital storage."<br /><br />Talk about a clash of the Titans! 8O I wonder what the outcomes will be? Hard to say without having the information about the patents, but I get a very serious vibe from this, and I don't think Kodak would take on a sumo like Sony without being confident they had something to gain.

Suhit Gupta
03-09-2004, 08:01 PM
A bit more information here - http://news.com.com/2100-1041-5171794.html. Apparently this is a long standing issue between the two companies.

Suhit

Jason Dunn
03-09-2004, 08:53 PM
A bit more information here - http://news.com.com/2100-1041-5171794.html. Apparently this is a long standing issue between the two companies.

Veeeeery interesting....1000 patents? Kodak could very well sit back and make money on their patents instead of making cameras. Interesting play, but one that I have no personal respect for.

Suhit Gupta
03-09-2004, 09:27 PM
Veeeeery interesting....1000 patents? Kodak could very well sit back and make money on their patents instead of making cameras. Interesting play, but one that I have no personal respect for.
Yeah, interesting is right. I was quite surprised by the number of patent violations. But I was also surprised that negotiations broke down because with so many infringements or claims thereof, I figured it would be easy to identify the 'guilty' party. Hmm, if this goes to court, as it looks like it will, I am guessing it will be long and drawn out.

Suhit

Gary Sheynkman
03-10-2004, 01:40 AM
I think that sony will walk away from this one.... Most cases are settled before the courtroom you know

Suhit Gupta
03-10-2004, 02:34 AM
I think that sony will walk away from this one.... Most cases are settled before the courtroom you know
Hmm, what leads you to believe Sony will walk away, in fact what exactly do you mean by 'walk away'? It is highly unlikely that Sony will close shop over this, and since they have been unable to settle this with arbitration, I don't see how this won't go to court.

Suhit