Illinois Judge Halts Kodak’s Refunds on Instant Cameras

The refund program offered by Eastman Kodak Co. for its instant cameras was put on hold indefinitely today by a judge in Illinois.

Judge David J. Shields of the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago ordered Kodak to stop its refund program until a lawsuit charging Kodak with not offering enough compensation to instant camera owners can be heard.

“We will observe this (suspension), but we will vigorously oppose it,” Kodak spokesman Charles Smith said.

Kodak offered the exchange program after a federal court ordered the company out of the instant photography business last month because of patent violations against Polaroid Corp.

Consumers were given their choice of a new disc camera and two packs of film, a share of Kodak common stock or a coupon book worth $50 off Kodak merchandise.