Kodak, Sony End Digital Imaging Patent Fight

Eastman Kodak Co. and Sony Corp. of Japan today announced in separate statements that they have settled their patent fight over digital imaging technology dating back to 1987.

Kodak filed suit against Sony back in March 2004 alleging violation of 10 patents involving digital and video technologies such as image compression and digital image capture, display and storage. The patents were issued to Kodak from 1987 to 2003. Sony countersued soon after, alleging that Kodak had violated 10 of its digital camera technology patents.

The companies announced today they have settled the patent suits and signed a cross license agreement giving the companies' broad access to each other's patent portfolio. Kodak also announced that it has signed a technology cross license with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB that will allow Sony Ericsson access to Kodak technology for Sony Ericsson's products. Kodak will also have access to Sony Ericsson's technology.

Kodak said it will receive royalty payments from the license agreements; additional financial terms were not disclosed.

"We are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial arrangement that advances the interests of the three companies," said Laura G. Quatela, managing director, Intellectual Property Transactions, and vice president, Eastman Kodak.

Sony said the license and settlement will have no material impact on its earnings forecast announced on Oct. 19.