The International Trade Commission (ITC) late yesterday ruled partially against Kodak in the suit Kodak filed against Apple in January, claiming that camera technologies used in nearly all of Apple’s devices had infringed upon Kodak’s patents.
Yesterday’s decision partially reaffirmed a judge’s prior ruling in January that Kodak’s infringement claims were invalid. The case will now be sent back to an administrative law judge, who is expected to make a final ruling by August.
Today’s ruling was not a total loss for Kodak. The decision affirms, reverses and remands various parts of Kodak’s initial claim. The judge said certain terms used to reach the first ruling had been revised and was asking an administrative law judge to take a second look at the initial ruling, given the new terms, that Kodak’s claims were invalid.
“Because of the modified claim constructions, the Commission believes it appropriate to provide the ALJ [Administrative Law Judge] and respondents the opportunity on remand to revisit invalid,” the judge wrote, adding that pending the results of the remand determination, the Commission takes no position on the invalidity of the asserted patent claim.
This current round of claims has also been levied at BlackBerry maker Research In Motion. Kodak has said that a ruling in its favor on the matter could lead to $1 billion in royalties.
Filed Under: Industry regulations + certifications
