Kodak sues LG, Samsung over camera phone patents

Kodak is suing LG and Samsung over patent infringement in the design of camera phones, accusing the handset makers of using Kodak's design for the capture, data compression and storage of pictures.

Kodak usually inks licensing deals for its technology and it has done so with other camera manufacturers and cell phone makers, but the Rochester, N.Y.-based company said its negotiations with the two South Korean handset makers did not result in an agreement.

"Our digital-camera technology is different from the one used by Kodak. We haven't infringed upon Kodak's related patents," said LG Electronics spokesman Choi Jun-hyuk. "We'll actively deal with the case." Samsung said it works to protect intellectual property rights, but would respond actively to the litigation.

Kodak, which gets a significant portion of its revenue from licenses, filed suit in U.S. District Court in Rochester and also lodged a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission.

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