March 27, 2011 - In January 2010, Kodak filed a patent infringement complaint before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against Apple and Research in Motion (RIM). The chief judge for the ITC ruled that neither Apple nor RIM infringed a Kodak patent on image previewing features used in mobile devices. But now it looks like Kodak will have a second chance: the ITC's full six-member panel will review the ruling.
Kodak is requesting that the ITC ban the importing of Apple and RIM mobile phones into the US, as well as their other wireless devices with digital cameras. And Kodak has reason for optimism: In December 2009, the ITC ruled in favor of Kodak in its case against Samsung and LG to the tune of $550 million and $414 million, respectively.
Based on that total award, Kodak's chairman and CEO, Antonio Perez, said in an interview with Bloomberg News that he expects a combined payment of more than $1 billion from Apple and RIM.