Kodak, Sony end patent dispute
- — 04 January, 2007 09:51
Eastman Kodak and Sony have ended a 3-year-old patent dispute and entered into a cross-licensing agreement, the two companies announced Wednesday.
Kodak had filed a lawsuit in March 2004, accusing Sony of infringing 10 patents covering digital camera technology issued to Kodak between 1987 and 2003. Sony filed a countersuit, accusing Kodak of infringing 10 of its patents, less than a month later.
Sony and Kodak will have broad access to each other's patent portfolios under the new agreement, the companies said in press releases. The companies did not disclose the terms of the licensing agreement.
Kodak has entered into a cross-licensing agreement with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications that will allow Sony Ericsson access to Kodak technology. Kodak will have access to Sony Ericsson's technology, Kodak said.
Kodak was pleased to "have reached a mutually beneficial arrangement that advances the interests of the three companies," Laura Quatela, Kodak's managing director of intellectual property transactions, said in a statement.
