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Kodak sues Apple and RIM over patent breaches

Camera maker Kodak has announced it is to sue both Research in Motion (RIM) and Apple over technology used in their Blackberry and iPhone handsets.

Kodak has lodged a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) claiming that the technology used by the handsets for viewing pictures infringes patents it holds. It has also filed a further two claims against Apple accusing the firm of patent breaches relating to computer processes and digital cameras.

Kodak has called for the ITC to stop the two companies from shipping their phones for sale and wants monetary damages.

Kodak’s chief intellectual property officer Laura Quatela 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."

She continued, "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."

Apple and RIM are likely to be concerned in light of the fact that a previous case brought by Kodak, claiming Samsung was breaching digital photo viewing patents, was won by Kodak.