Kodak sues Apple, BlackBerry

Eastman Kodak Company is suing Apple and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) for infringement of its imaging technology by the two giants in digital cameras in their iPhone and BlackBerry devices.

In a lawsuit filed with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), Kodak claims that digital cameras in Apple's iPhones and RIM's BlackBerry devices infringe its patent that covers technology related to previewing images.

Laura G. Quatela, vice president of Eastman Kodak Company, said Thursday they "had discussions for years with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue amicably, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement.

"In light of that, we are taking this action to ensure that we protect the interests of our shareholders and the existing licensees of our technology.''

Urging the trade commission to bar Apple and RIM from shipping infringing devices, including mobile phones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras, Quatela said, "Our primary interest is not to disrupt the availability of any product but to obtain fair compensation for the use of our technology.

"There is a basic issue of fairness that needs to be addressed. Those devices use Kodak technology, and we are merely seeking compensation for the use of our technology in their products."

Kodak also filed two separate suits against Apple Thursday for alleged infringement of its patents related to digital cameras and certain computer processes.

In the first lawsuit, Kodak alleges infringement of two patents related image preview and the processing of images at different resolutions.

In the second suit, it alleges infringement of patents that describe a method by which a computer programme can 'ask for help' from another application to carry out certain computer-oriented functions. The infringement allegations apply to any Apple product that uses the processing method described above.

"We remain open to negotiating a fair and amicable agreement with both Apple and RIM, which has always been our preference and our practice with other licensees,'' said Quatela who is also chief intellectual property officer of Kodak.

"We seek to avoid litigation in our licensing programmes whenever possible. But when the infringement is persistent, we will act to defend the interests of our shareholders and licensees, and to promote the fair compensation that is the bedrock of innovation.''

Based at Rochester in New York State, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975 and claims to have more than 1,000 digital imaging patents.

The photographic and optical equipment maker employees more than 20,000 people worldwide.

Software maker sues China for piracy

A US software maker sued China and seven major computer makers on Tuesday alleging piracy of its Internet filtering software.

Cybersitter LLC, whose software is designed to help parents filter content seen by children, seeks $2.2 billion in damages in the federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The company alleges that the Chinese copied its codes and incorporated them into software used to block Chinese citizens' access to sites deemed politically undesirable by the government. Seven computer manufacturers, including Sony, Lenovo, and Toshiba, also were sued for distributing the Chinese program with PCs sold in the country.

"I don't think I have ever seen such clear-cut stealing," said attorney Gregory Fayer, who represents Santa Barbara-based Cybersitter.

He said the alleged piracy was discovered by a university researcher who posted a report on Internet filtering programs online.

Fayer said Chinese software makers appeared to have downloaded the program from the Cybersitter server and copied more than 3,000 lines of code, then incorporated it into their program, Green Dam Youth Escort.

"They did a sloppy job of copying," said Fayer, noting that they included directions on how to get to the Cybersitter site.

Last year, the Chinese government issued an order requiring computer manufacturers to pre-install or supply "Green Dam Youth Escort" software with PCs made for sale in China.

China later backed down after a major outcry from Chinese citizens and computer companies. Although Chinese authorities had said the "Green Dam" system is needed to block access to violent and obscene material, analysts who reviewed the program say it also filters out material the government considers politically objectionable.

The lawsuit says that while the mandate was reversed, the computer makers continued to distribute Green Dam with its computers in China even after learning the software was pirated.

Those named in the lawsuit were Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer, AsusteK, BenQ and Haier.

The complaint alleges misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, copyright infringement and conspiracy. It also claims the Chinese software makers broke U.S. criminal laws governing economic espionage.

Fayer said that none of the defendants had been served with the lawsuit yet.

A Lenovo spokeswoman said by e-mail that the company was unable to comment on pending litigation.

Taiwan's BenQ Corp. said in an e-mailed statement, that the company had not been notified of the lawsuit and could not comment. Acer Inc. also declined comment. AsusteK did not immediately respond to efforts seeking comment.

Representatives for Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. and China's Haier Group did not immediately respond to e-mailed questions.

The chief executive of one of the Chinese software makers being sued, Zhengzhou Jinhui Computer System Engineering, did not answer calls. Representatives at another Chinese software maker named in the lawsuit, Beijing Dazheng Human Language Technology Academy, were not available.

Fayer said Cybersitter, a family-owned company, is seeking damages for royalties due on its product, which sells for $39.95 a copy. He said the case could be "a watershed for the protection of American intellectual property internationally."

"We don't make many widgets anymore," he said. "What we have to offer the world is our ingenuity and creativity, our ideas and what lawyers call intellectual property. From small companies like Cybersitter to Microsoft to motion pictures and the music industry, these are the products we have to offer the world. It is important that they be protected."

Coming soon: 'Self-drive' cars!

Imagine owning a car that does all the driving while you sit back and relax. Your fantasy seems to be getting closer to reality, thanks to scientists who are designing such a "self-drive" vehicle.

A European team claims to be working on such a fantasy car which can drive itself - in fact, tests would start next year on such vehicles that "drive themselves" and could be on roads within 10 years, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

Co-ordinated by a UK company, the European Union project is called Safe Road Trains for the Environment and it involves a "carpooling" roadtrain theory for use on motorways.

The roadtrain would consist of six to eight vehicles whose occupants would be able to relax, read the paper or chat on mobiles while travelling; this'll be possible as their cars would be equipped with a navigation system and a transmitter unit that communicates with the lead vehicle, say scientists.

This lead vehicle - possibly a taxi a bus or a truck - will drive "normally" and effectively "do the motoring" for the rest of the roadtrain.

Drivers approaching their destination will take over control of their own vehicle, leave the convoy by exiting off to the side and then continue on their own to their respective destinations, according to the scientists.