DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) sued Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE) and LG Electronics Inc. (066570.SE), alleging infringement of digital-camera patents.
A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and a complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission are specifically concerned with patents related to image capture, compression, data storage and a method for previewing motion images.
The lawsuit asks for unspecified damages, and both cases seek injunctions prohibiting Samsung and LG from further imports and sales of the products.
Kodak has been working to boost profitability by tapping its rich portfolio of imaging patents. Chief Executive Antonio Perez told analysts early this year that he expected the company to earn between $1 billion and $1.4 billion in patent-licensing royalties by 2011.
In December, Kodak wrapped up a four-year, $3.4 billion overhaul aimed at transforming itself into a leader in digital photography from the world's biggest film manufacturer. It slashed its work force to 26,900 from 64,000.
Representatives for Samsung and LG weren't immediately available for comment.
Kodak's shares closed down 7.5% at $7.30 and were unchanged in after-hours trading.
-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5975; Kathy.Shwiff@dowjones.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 17, 2008 17:25 ET (22:25 GMT)

Publié le 17 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones