Kodak Is Exploring Sale of Patent in Apple Lawsuit
Eastman Kodak Co. is exploring a sale of one the company’s crown jewels: the patent for previewing photographs currently being litigated against Apple Inc. and Research In Motion Ltd.
The imaging company recently said it is considering the sale of 1,100 patents, or 10% of the company’s portfolio. Kodak said the patents at stake covered capturing, storing, organizing and sharing digital images, but didn’t specify whether the sale would include the one at issue in the Apple and RIM lawsuits.
Kodak now acknowledges the image-previewing patent is up for sale, as well as patents that Kodak is litigating against Shutterfly Inc. The move makes clear Kodak’s eagerness to raise cash after two straight quarters in which patent litigation income dried up, contributing to losses.
