Kodak Brings Patent Suit to Apple, Corporate Reorganization Still a Ways Away from 'Photo' Finish

In the latest twist of an ongoing legal battle, Kodak has sued Apple (News - Alert) so the struggling photography company can move ahead with plans to sell patents this summer.

Kodak claims Apple is trying to “delay and derail” the photo company’s plans, suggesting the computer company wrongly argues that it owns some 10 patents related to joint work between the two companies, according to the Reuters News Agency.

FlashPoint Technology is also a defendant in the case.

The technology identified in the suit, according to news reports, relates to products that let users preview photographs on LCD screens, and are part of the company’s digital capture product line.

Kodak's (News - Alert) digital-capture products have led to over 700 patents on devices such as digital cameras, smartphones and tablets. It has led to over $3 billion in revenue since 2001.

Kodak owns some 10,700 patents, according to a report from TMCnet.

The photography specialist also claims that “Apple’s strategy has been to use its substantial cash position to delay as long as possible the payment of royalties to Kodak and to interfere” with a patent auction planned for August, according to a report from The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

"Apple and FlashPoint are seeking to benefit from Kodak's difficult financial position, which will be exacerbated if the debtors cannot obtain fair value for the patents," according to the Kodak lawsuit recited by Reuters (News - Alert).

Kodak will try to auction off some of its valuable patents in early August. The firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 19.

Earlier this month, Apple said issues raised in the litigation should be ironed out in local federal court rather than a bankruptcy court.

Kodak sued Apple and HTC (News - Alert) Corp earlier this year, alleging infringement of patented technology related to digital photography, according to TMCnet.