Washington
– The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to launch an
investigation into whether iPhone maker Apple (NASD: AAPL) and BlackBerry maker Research in
Motion (NASD: RIMM) are infringing a Kodak (NYSE: EK) patent with their mobile phone camera software.
The
complaint, filed by Kodak on Jan. 14, alleges violations of the Tariff Act of
1930 — namely the importation of phones with digital cameras that Kodak
believes are infringing its patent.
Kodak is asking the USITC to issue cease
and desist orders that would block imports of the iPhone and BlackBerry into
the U.S.
from their Asian manufacturing plants.
The USITC said it has not yet made any
decision on the merits of the case, but said it will set a target date for
completion within 45 days.
Related Links:
http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2010/er0217hh1.htm
