ITC once again sides with Apple, RIM in Kodak patent spat

The U.S. International Trade Organization today once again said Apple and Research In Motion are not infringing on a patent held by Eastman Kodak.

ITC administrative law judge Thomas Pender today posted (pdf) an initial determination in the case, reaffirming a decision made last year by that the two companies were not infringing on one of Kodak's patents with their mobile devices:

I hereby reaffirm on remand that no violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, has been found in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, or the sale within the United States after importation of certain mobile telephones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras, and components thereof, in connection with claim 15 of U.S. Patent No. 6,292,218.

The decision notes that devices from Apple and RIM were, in fact infringing on one of the claims made within the patent, but that specific claim was invalid "for obviousness."

Kodak originally filed its complaint against the two technology companies on January 14, 2010, alleging that they infringed on U.S. Patent no. 6,292,218, which covers image previewing technology for cameras. Last January, an administrative law judge found no violation of the patent, however the ITC's commission decided to review that decision. Making matters more complex, the ITC's chief administrative l... [Read more]



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