Kodak accuses Apple and RIM of IP theft

Kodak claims Apple and RIM are violating a patent it holds for image previewing tools

Kodak is filing a complaint against Apple and Research in Motion (RIM) over what it says is patent infringement in digital cameras embedded in phones.

The company announced on Thursday that it was filing a complaint against both firms with the US International Trade Commission. The complaint alleges that both companies used technology Kodak patented for image preview tools on digital cameras within handsets.

Kodak says that it currently has licensing deals with some 30 other handset makers that cover the patent. Apple and RIM, however, have been using the technology without a licensing agreement, Kodak claims.

"In the case of Apple and RIM, 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," said Eastman Kodak vice president and chief intellectual property officer Laura Quatela.

"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."

The complaint from Kodak is the second legal gripe to be lobbed at Apple from a high-profile peer recently. Last October, Nokia filed suit claiming that Apple was violating 10 of its patents on handset design.

Apple responded to the charges by filing a countersuit claiming infringement by Nokia on 13 of its smartphone patents.