US group Eastman Kodak said it has filed a lawsuit against Sony, accusing the Japanese giant of infringing 10 of its patents on digital photo technology.
The suit was filed in a federal court in Rochester, New York, where Kodak is based.
Kodak is trying to stop Sony from using the technology as well as compensation. It said talks with the Japanese company had broken down.
But Kodak spokesman Gerard Meuchner would not say how much the main US photography producer was demanding.
The complaint covers patents registered between February 1987 and June 2003. They include techniques for previewing and storing images, printing and reproducing video images.
The action targets Sony’s parent company, Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE – news)oration of America, a distribution firm, and Sony Electronics Inc., a US subsidiary.
“Kodak has been damaged by the infringement or inducement of infringement of its patents by Sony, SCA, and/or SEI and will continue to be damaged by such infringement or inducement of infringement unless enjoined by this court,” said the suit filed by the American firm.
Kodak first warned Sony over copyright claims in July 2001 over the alleged infringement of five patents.
Kodak also accused another Japanese firm, Sanyo, in 2001 of infringing its intellectual property rights. Meuchner said an accord was reached with Sanyo but would not say how much the Japanese company had paid.
