Apple and RIM face Kodak patent investigation

Kodak has asked the ITC to block imports of RIM and Apple products

The International Trade Commission (ITC) is to look into claims made by Kodak that Research in Motion (RIM) and Apple infringed on its patents covering camera technology.

The ITC confirmed that the investigation is being undertaken after a complaint filed by Kodak on 14 January, and that the complainant requested that "the ITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders".

Kodak claims that RIM and Apple use patented camera technology in their BlackBerry and iPhone handsets.

The company has said previously that it is open to talks with Apple and RIM over financial reimbursement for the alleged intellectual property theft, and that the companies' failure to engage in any discussion had led to the official complaint.

Laura Quatela, vice president and chief intellectual property officer at Kodak, said that the move is designed to "protect the interests of our shareholders and the existing licensees of our technology".

Kodak said that it has licensing deals with around 30 other handset makers covering the patents in question, and that Apple and RIM had been using the technology without a licence.

Apple and RIM were contacted about the announcement but declined to comment.

Apple is currently facing a legal battle with Nokia over the alleged infringement of 10 Nokia patents on handset design. Apple has responded with a countersuit claiming 13 infringements of its own smartphone patents.