Tag Archives: BankruptcyCourt

Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, cites disruption to next week’s auction

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Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, dismisses ownership claims for late filing

Is this Kodak's moment? It's sure shaping up to be, as Bloomberg reports the once prominent imaging company has just earned a slight, though significant courtroom victory against Apple. At stake is the ownership of ten patents related to digital imaging, two of which have been deemed incontestable by a Manhattan bankruptcy judge due to Cupertino's late stage ownership filing. Citing potential disruptions to next Wednesday's auction, Judge Gropper ruled against Apple's claims, while also striking down Kodak's request for a summary judgment on the eight remaining IPs and leaving the door open for further dispute. So, though it may seem like the Rochester-based company is finally out of the woods, this certainly isn't the end of its woes -- Apple has now filed counterclaims and is seeking a transfer of the case to district court. And if the House that Steve built's legal track record is any indication, it's not going down without an interminable fight.

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Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, cites disruption to next week's auction originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WSJ: Apple, Google reportedly in rival groups to buy Kodak patents

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Kodachrome 200 film box

Kodak might be cleared to sell its patents, but it's likely no fan of the companies lined up to make a deal. The Wall Street Journal's best friends, "people familiar with the matter," assert that Apple and Google are part of separate coalitions hoping to buy the 1,100 patents up for grabs. Apple's camp supposedly includes Microsoft and controversial patent holder Intellectual Ventures; Google's team reads more like an Android Justice League, with HTC, LG, Samsung and "patent risk solutions" provider RPX all playing a part. Real or not, there's still much that's up in the air. Kodak's not talking, and even the touted insiders warn both of new challengers and allegiances that could be in flux over the next few days. If there's meat on this rumor bone, however, it could make the August 8th auction another patent war spectacle rather than a mere ticket back to solvency for Kodak. Break out the popcorn.

[Image credit: Pittaya Sroilong, Flickr]

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WSJ: Apple, Google reportedly in rival groups to buy Kodak patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak gets the green light to sell digital imaging patents

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Kodak gets the green light to sell digital imaging patents

It's been a long road for Kodak to get to this point, but it seems the floundering company has finally won approval to sell off its digital imaging patents. Over the objections of Apple and Flashpoint (nothing like kicking a company when its down), the Bankruptcy Court awarded Kodak the right to auction off its Digital Capture and Kodak Imaging Systems and Services (KISS) patent portfolios. While the challenges haven't been completely dismissed, the ruling provides an opportunity for the struggling Rochester firm to move ahead with its auction plans in the face of what it calls "baseless claims." Soon enough the bids for the rather sizable and valuable portfolios will start rolling in, and should provide Kodak with enough cash to keep its head above water for a little bit longer. For more detail, check out the PR after the break.

[Image Credit: MercerFilm]

Continue reading Kodak gets the green light to sell digital imaging patents

Kodak gets the green light to sell digital imaging patents originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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