Apple Seeks Court Permission To Sue Kodak For Patent Infringement

First time accepted submitter yankexpat writes "The patent battles in the mobile communications space have taken another turn, as Apple has asked a court for permission to sue the bankrupt Kodak for patent infringement. From the article: 'Apple Inc. asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to sue Eastman Kodak Co. over allegations it’s infringing patents that Apple says cover technologies used in printers, digital cameras and digital picture frames. Apple said in a filing yesterday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York that it intends to file a complaint against Kodak at the International Trade Commission and a corresponding suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan based on patent-infringement claims. The suit will seek an order blocking Kodak’s infringement, according to the filing.'"

Re:Press release from Apple

[Anonymous Coward]

Isn't it more like Steve Jobs dying wish was for them to sue all companies? He said he didn't care about the money, he was just upset that he felt people were copying Apple products.

Re:Intersting long term move

[mr100percent]

Well, it's more than that. Kodak sued Apple just before filing for bankruptcy. It looks like they were hoping Apple would settle, and Kodak would use the money to stay afloat. That didn't happen, so now Apple is sueing back.

Kodak Sued First, Apple is Countersuing

[mr100percent]

The headline is misleading: Kodak first sued Apple just days before filing for bankruptcy. They tried to get an ITC ruling, which would have frozen Apple's sales. It looks like they were hoping Apple would quickly settle, and Kodak would use the money to stay afloat.

That didn't happen, so now Apple is suing back in retaliation [electronista.com], but before doing that they're asking the court for permission (which isn't necessary).

Re:Microsoft should have let Apple go Bankrupt

[sessamoid]

Yes. Apple is making a claim on the patents that Kodak tried to use to sue Apple for. The stem from a joint venture back when Apple introduced the first consumer digital camera and an agreement between the two companies on who owns the IP stemmed from that venture. Apple is claiming that the agreement between the two of them gives Apple the technology they used in that venture, as well as any improvements based upon them. Kodak opened Pandora's box when they sued Apple.

Re:Kodak Sued First, Apple is Countersuing

[Anonymous Coward]

It IS necessary in order to sue a chapter 11 company. It's basicly "cuttin in line" 'cause they think they (and their claims) are more important thant everybody else wo has to wait in line.

Re:Kodak Sued First, Apple is Countersuing

[rahvin112]

You cannot sue a company in Bankruptcy without the permission of the Judge handling the Bankruptcy case. That's the purpose of Bankruptcy, to stop lawsuits.

Re:Microsoft should have let Apple go Bankrupt

[Anonymous Coward]

The [lawsuit] stems from a joint venture back when Apple introduced the first consumer digital camera

Wait, what? I wasn't aware that Apple introduced the first consumer digital camera. What product are you talking about?

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