Kodak went after Apple and RIM for patent violation. Apple countersued. Now it looks like the ITC has agreed to investigate Apple’s claim against Kodak. The two patents in question are:
Apple Granted Patent 6,031,964: System and method for using a unified memory architecture to implement a digital camera device.
Apple Granted Patent RE38,911: Modular digital image processing via an image processing chain with modifiable parameter controls.
According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple is alleging the violations with Kodak’s Z, M, C and SLICE series cameras, as well as a number of video cameras.
This is an interesting case, because I honestly don’t think it’s Patent Trolling here. While Kodak isn’t doing so well right now, they were one of the major driving forces behind the shift to digital in the early days of the technology. Hence, they have a lot of patents for methods now considered standard. They may be trying to lift their own stock by targeting Apple, but they certainly have the patents to back up their claims.
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