Judge Denies Apple's Request to Move Kodak Patent Lawsuit to Different Court

Submitted by patentadmin on Thu, 07/26/2012 - 23:53

July 26, 2012 - Apple's request to transfer its patent ownership dispute out of U.S. bankruptcy court and into a federal court was denied by U.S. District Judge George Daniels, because the bankruptcy court judge has not had a chance to address the motion himself.

Judge Daniels said in his ruling that Judge Allan Gropper of the bankruptcy court should have "an opportunity to render a decision on the motion and to have an opportunity to control and move forward the process."

Kodak is attempting to auction off 1,100 patents related to digital imaging in its bid to raise much-needed operating funds, a move which looks increasingly unlikely to be successful according to many patent experts (including GPC's Alexander Poltorak).

Apple claims ownership of ten image-previewing patents in the portfolio to be sold because they were developed when the two companies collaborated on a project in the 1990s. Apple's concern is that the patents will be auctioned off before the courts determine their rightful ownership.