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The Daily Roundup for 01.11.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Kodak patent sale approved by Judge: Apple, Google to pay $527 million
Despite hammering out the details late last year, Kodak still had to wait for the Bankruptcy court to greenlight its big patent sale. Today, that happened: Judge Allan Gropper has approved the $527 million deal between Kodak, Apple and Google -- giving the floundering photo company final permission to offload more than 1,000 imaging patents. Kodak originally valued its collection of IP at over $2 billion, which Gropper deemed a bit high. Despite hoping for a higher payout, Kodak's attorney admits the deal is probably the best it could have hoped for, explaining that the $525 million the company will collect in the agreement will give it some "patent peace." Apple and Google, once rivals for Kodak's intellectual property, struck a deal to bid on the patents together -- lowering their respective costs and keeping the bid war out of the courts. Less litigation sounds good to us, even if it's only for a little while. Check out Bloomberg's report at the adjacent source link for more info.
Kodak licenses its name to JK Imaging for cameras and projectors
Kodak has been offloading many of its signature businesses, and we're seeing a another symbolic changing of the guard today: after deciding to quit digital cameras last year, the company is licensing rights to make Kodak-branded cameras to JK Imaging, a subsidiary of global supplier JA Capital Holdings. No, we're not expecting those names to be immediately recognizable, although the Kodak-badged cameras, pocket camcorders and projectors that should result from the deal will be familiar enough. While it's unfortunate that any future Kodak cameras won't come straight from the original source, we won't judge just yet -- after all, similar deals have led to surprising new directions for some of Kodak's competitors.
Kodak sells imaging patents to pay down debt
Struggling imaging company Kodak announced today that it sold its digital imaging patents to pay off its debts as it moves through bankruptcy. The US$525 million portfolio was purchased by patent licensing companies Intellectual Ventures and RPX Corporation. Intellectual Ventures will pay a portion of this $525 million figure, while the rest will come from 12 licensees including Apple, Google and RIM. As part of this transaction, Kodak agrees to settle current patent-related litigation involving the participants, including Apple. Kodak and Apple have battled in court over imaging patents, some of which were developed during the time Kodak worked with Apple on the QuickTake 100 digital camera. In the course of the legal proceedings, Kodak sued Apple and Apple countersued Kodak claiming the company misappropriated the digital imaging technology from this collaboration. [Via The Verge]
Kodak offloads patents for $525 million, Apple and Google both grab a slice
This isn't a huge surprise, since we already knew that specialist patent buyers were circling Kodak's wares with around half a billion dollars in their baggy pockets. Nevertheless, the deal is now done, with Intellectual Ventures and RPX Corporation working together to snap up the imaging IP for $525 million. The former is an agent for Apple's interests, among others, while RPX represents Google. The good news for Kodak is that this helps it with its bankruptcy restructuring, while simultaneously putting an end to all the Apple-instigated interference that has so far hindered its efforts to stay alive. [Image credit: Viktor Nagornyy, Flickr]
Google and Apple team up to buy Kodak patents
Google and Apple are more often seen as rivals rather than teammates, but they've joined forces to pool a bid of US$500 million to buy patents from bankrupt Eastman Kodak Co. The companies are planning to buy some of Kodak's 1,100 imaging patents in a bankruptcy auction. Apple was part of a group that purchased more than 6,000 patents from Nortel Networks for $4.5 billion in a similar proceeding last year; Google went alone and lost out on those patents. The patents in question pertain to the "capture, manipulation and sharing of digital images." Apple had previously joined with Microsoft and Intellectual Ventures Management LLC in July to try purchasing some of the patents at auction, while Google joined up with several Android manufacturers and RPX Corp to make an offer. Each group offered less than the $500 million that Kodak is seeking, so the two groups have now teamed up to offer the requested amount. Eastman Kodak wishes to exit bankruptcy in the first half of 2013. The reorganized company will focus on commercial, packaging and functional printing, and enterprise services instead of photography.
Bloomberg: Apple and Google teaming up on $500 million-plus bid for Kodak patents
After Kodak's auction to offload 1,100 of its digital imaging patents was green-lit this summer, it looked like Apple and Google were ready to do battle for the goods. Now, however, Bloomberg cites a pair of sources who claim that the two titans have ended their face-off and are combining their efforts in a $500 million-plus bid for the patents. All three parties are staying quiet for now, but the move would certainly not be out of form for technology giants when it comes to lucrative, and potentially volatile, patents. Helping Kodak recover from bankruptcy with more cash in its coffers is nice enough, but avoiding a courtroom feud on digital photos is what sweetens the pot all around. [Image credit: Viktor Nagornyy, Flickr]
'Father of digital imaging' Bryce Bayer dies aged 83
Bryce Bayer, former Eastman Kodak scientist, and inventor of the Bayer Filter -- found with most modern digital image sensors -- has sadly recently passed. Bayer's work with Kodak left an indelible mark on almost every digital image you see today, both figuratively, and literally. His eponymous color filter, developed in 1976, used a mosaic layout of red green and blue filters that enables light sensors to create full color images. The design imitates the way the human eye perceives color, with twice as much green as red or blue, and the resulting output is then interpreted with "demosaicing" algorithms to produce an accurate, RGB image. Bayer's work also included significant contributions to other areas of digital photography, including storage, enhancement and printing. Bayer died on November 13th in Bath, Maine aged 83. So, next time you're enjoying your digital memories, spare a thought for the man who helped make them all possible
Kodak dropping out of the consumer inkjet printer business in 2013
More gloomy news from Kodak: the company just announced that it will stop selling consumer inkjet printers in 2013 and instead focus its efforts on commercial printing products. This decision hardly comes as a surprise: Kodak filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year and attempted to auction off a stockpile of patents valued at up to $2.6 billion. The company stated on Friday that it expects to take a $90 million hit due to its floundering inkjet business. Kodak's garage sale attracted interest from unlikely alliances in the form of Apple and Microsoft versus Google and Samsung, but reportedly only reeled in disappointing offers under the $500 million mark. Hoping to rebound next year as a "lean," mean, successful machine, we'll just have to wait and see what develops for this fallen photography frontrunner.
Kodak announces 'asset protection' cinema film, thumbs nose at your digital movie collection
Kodak may not be beloved by digital filmmakers, but it's not fallen out of love with the talkies. It's new "asset protection" cinema film is designed to save motion pictures from being lost if your digital-storage-medium-of-choice is rendered obsolete. It's designed for long-term archive storage, with your Hollywood blockbuster stored in a "human-readable" format that'll remain usable "well into the future." As such, the reels are loaded with dyes that will reportedly remain stable for "decades," but the company thinks will remain viable for over a century -- in stark contrast with the short life of your average hard-drive. It'll add a monochrome offering to the range later in the year, but if you want the color version now, your people will have to talk to Kodak's people, Mr. Producer.
Kodak to sell the film business that made it so famous (update)
Kodak is selling off its renowned film arm in order to revive its moribund fortunes. It'll join sales of the company's patent portfolio, online gallery, commercial scanning, photo kiosk and theme park businesses so it can concentrate on a not-yet successful printer enterprise. It needs to raise more than $660 million to pay back creditors before it can emerge from Chapter 11, which it aims to do early next year -- but not in any form that we're likely to recognize. [Image Credit: MercerFilm] Update: The company got in touch to say that while those parts of the business are being put up for sale, manufacturing, sales and marketing of Kodak-branded film products (and motion picture products) will remain within the Eastman-Kodak company.
Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, cites disruption to next week's auction
Is this Kodak's moment? It's sure shaping up to be, as Bloomberg reports the once prominent imaging company has just earned a slight, though significant courtroom victory against Apple. At stake is the ownership of ten patents related to digital imaging, two of which have been deemed incontestable by a Manhattan bankruptcy judge due to Cupertino's late stage ownership filing. Citing potential disruptions to next Wednesday's auction, Judge Gropper ruled against Apple's claims, while also striking down Kodak's request for a summary judgment on the eight remaining IPs and leaving the door open for further dispute. So, though it may seem like the Rochester-based company is finally out of the woods, this certainly isn't the end of its woes -- Apple has now filed counterclaims and is seeking a transfer of the case to district court. And if the House that Steve built's legal track record is any indication, it's not going down without an interminable fight.
Judge denies Apple's bid to move Kodak suit to new court
Apple has suffered another setback in its attempts to stop the bankrupt Kodak from auctioning off a series of patents. After Apple's previous attempt to stop the auction wholesale failed, the company appealed to try to move the case from bankruptcy court to a local district court, which Apple said would be more experienced and better equipped to handle a case like this. But last week, a judge in the case denied Apple's request for a change of venue, cutting off one more argument from Apple against these patents being auctioned off. This case has been a messy one. Kodak has filed complaints in the case that have been dismissed by the judges involved. In the end, it might all be a moot point anyway. If Apple can't stop the sale of Kodak's patents, it could simply buy them, and Kodak has already accused Apple of trying to bring the patents' sale price down by questioning their legality. The auction is currently set to take place next month.
WSJ: Apple, Google reportedly in rival groups to buy Kodak patents
Kodak might be cleared to sell its patents, but it's likely no fan of the companies lined up to make a deal. The Wall Street Journal's best friends, "people familiar with the matter," assert that Apple and Google are part of separate coalitions hoping to buy the 1,100 patents up for grabs. Apple's camp supposedly includes Microsoft and controversial patent holder Intellectual Ventures; Google's team reads more like an Android Justice League, with HTC, LG, Samsung and "patent risk solutions" provider RPX all playing a part. Real or not, there's still much that's up in the air. Kodak's not talking, and even the touted insiders warn both of new challengers and allegiances that could be in flux over the next few days. If there's meat on this rumor bone, however, it could make the August 8th auction another patent war spectacle rather than a mere ticket back to solvency for Kodak. Break out the popcorn. [Image credit: Pittaya Sroilong, Flickr]
Daily Update for July 23, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Kodak/Apple patent dispute ends badly for Kodak
Struggling US photography pioneer Kodak was dealt a major blow when the International Trade Commission ruled that its color image preview patent, No. 6,292,218, was invalid, according to the Wall Street Journal. Kodak hoped to extract money from companies that were not licensing the patent and kicked off a series of legal volleys that began with a high-profile ITC complaint filed against Apple and RIM in early 2010. The camera company has planned to sell off its patent portfolio to raise money for its bankruptcy case, and securing licenses from companies like Apple would increase the money the company could get from a patent auction. Patent number '218 was considered to be the most valuable in Kodak's portfolio because it covered the way color digital images are previewed in a viewfinder. It is already licensed by 32 other companies. The technology behind this patent was developed during the time Kodak worked with Apple on the QuickTake 100, a digital camera project from the early 90s that was killed by Steve Jobs when he returned to Apple. In the course of the legal proceedings, Apple countersued Kodak claiming the company misappropriated the technology. The ITC battle was settled on Friday when the commission upheld an earlier decision from ITC judge Thomas Pender and dismissed the complaint. This decision could hurt Kodak financially in its patent auction, which is expected to end next month. [Via Apple 2.0]
Windows Phone Kodak Pic Flick app pushes photos to printers -- as long as you have version 7.5
Kodak's recent announcements may have circled around patent brawls (and victories), but if you've indentured yourself to the company's range of all-in-one printers and digital photo frames, you might want to pick up its new Windows Phone app. Pic Flick will share your images with compatible hardware through WiFi -- provided you're connected to the same network on your phone. It's largely identical to the existing iOS version, albeit cocooned in Microsoft's metro style, and includes a handful of simple editing tools and filters. However, you will need to check that your Windows Phone is running version 7.5 or later. If you pass that requirement, hit up the source for the download.
Judge permits Kodak's patent auction despite Apple's objections
US Bankruptcy Judge Allan Groper said in a Tuesday hearing that struggling Kodak can auction off more than 1,100 patents as part of its bankruptcy restructuring plan, according to a Bloomberg report. The sale will go forward, despite Apple's objection to the auction and its outstanding ownership claims. Apple previously filed a lawsuit against Kodak claiming that the camera company stole the technology that is included in ten of the patents that Kodak hopes to sell off. Kodak sued to block Apple's ownership claims and the two lawsuits are making their way through the court system. Kodak said in a statement to Bloomberg that "We are gratified that the court has enabled us to move ahead with our patent auction in a timely manner and with clarity on ownership for the winning buyer." Apple declined to comment.
Kodak gets the green light to sell digital imaging patents
It's been a long road for Kodak to get to this point, but it seems the floundering company has finally won approval to sell off its digital imaging patents. Over the objections of Apple and Flashpoint (nothing like kicking a company when its down), the Bankruptcy Court awarded Kodak the right to auction off its Digital Capture and Kodak Imaging Systems and Services (KISS) patent portfolios. While the challenges haven't been completely dismissed, the ruling provides an opportunity for the struggling Rochester firm to move ahead with its auction plans in the face of what it calls "baseless claims." Soon enough the bids for the rather sizable and valuable portfolios will start rolling in, and should provide Kodak with enough cash to keep its head above water for a little bit longer. For more detail, check out the PR after the break. [Image Credit: MercerFilm]
Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalgia for your QuickTake
Kodak may have recently obtained clearance to sell some patents and help dig itself out of bankruptcy, but it wants to be extra-certain Apple is nowhere near potential buyers if a deal goes down. The former camera maker is suing Apple in hopes of making the former collaborator drop challenges to the ownership of 10 imaging patents from the early 1990s, when the two were still buddy-buddy enough to design the QuickTake camera line together. Claims by Apple and patent transfer recipient FlashPoint Technology are purportedly just attempts to stall any patent sale as long as possible and spook buyers away, forcing Kodak to make some hard decisions about its own lawsuits. That's not to say Kodak is a doe-eyed innocent here: Apple has accused Kodak of trying to sweep any patent disputes under the rug with bankruptcy as the pretext. Although the lawsuit is just one part of a larger story, it could more definitively answer whether or not Kodak has enough bullets left in its patent gun. [Image credit: Mikhail Shcherbakov, Flickr]
