Sony Sues Kodak Over Digital Patents

Consumer electronics giant Sony Corp. sued Eastman Kodak Co. on Wednesday for allegedly using digital camera technology covered in 10 Sony patents.

The filing comes more than three weeks after Kodak sued Tokyo-based Sony for infringing 10 of its digital photography patents.

Sony spokesman John Dolak said Wednesday’s suit was not a direct response to Kodak’s legal action, but “grew out of negotiations commenced several years ago over patents relating to digital still cameras.”

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey, close to Sony’s U.S. headquarters in Park Ridge. The company is in the process of consolidating its U.S. operations in San Diego.

Kodak spokesman Gerard Meuchner declined to comment because the Rochester, N.Y., company had not yet seen the suit.

Each company claims that it holds key patents in digital photography, a multibillion-dollar market that is forecast to grow 28% this year.

Approximately 46 million digital cameras were sold around the world last year, according to market research company International Data Corp.

Sony, the top seller of digital cameras, cites patents dating back to 1988 in its lawsuit. Film pioneer Kodak, currently fifth in digital camera sales, said its relevant patents go back to 1987.

In trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange, Kodak shares rose 24 cents to $26.17, while Sony’s U.S. shares fell 19 cents to $41.81.