Apple, Google lead bidders for Kodak patents - report

News Wireless Global 30 JUL 2012
Apple, Google lead bidders for Kodak patents - report
Apple and Google are lining up consortia to bid for Eastman Kodak's portfolio of around 1,110 patents. Apple is teaming up with Microsoft and patent aggregation firm Intellectual Ventures Management to form one bidding group, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. Another consortium includes Google, patent aggregation firm RPX and three hardware companies that make phones based on Google's Android operating system: Samsung, LG and HTC. Kodak has said the patents could be worth up to USD 2.6 billion. People with knowledge of the portfolios, however, said initial bids aren't likely to approach that figure. Kodak filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, and the proceeds from selling its patents are a key part of its restructuring plan. The auction is set for 08 August. The patents are being sold in two lots: one portfolio related to capturing and processing images on cameras, smartphones and tablets; and another related to storing and analyzing images, among other things.

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Apple,  Microsoft,  Samsung,  Google,  HTC,  Kodak

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