Kodak enters technology cross-license agreements with Sony and Sony Ericsson

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., entered into a technology cross-license agreement with Sony Corp., Tokyo, Japan, that will allow each company broad access to the other's patent portfolio, according to a press release.

Kodak also announced that it has entered into a technology cross license with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, London, United Kingdom, that will allow Sony Ericsson access to Kodak technology for Sony Ericsson's products, says the release. Kodak will also have access to Sony Ericsson's technology. Sony Ericsson is a 50/50 joint venture between Sony Corp. and Ericsson AB; it was established in October 2001.

The license agreements are royalty bearing to Kodak. Additional financial terms were not disclosed.

"We are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial arrangement that advances the interests of the three companies," said Laura G. Quatela, managing director, Intellectual Property Transactions, and vice president, Eastman Kodak Co. "These cross-license agreements give us broad access to the technology of Sony and Sony Ericsson, and validate the strength of Kodak's intellectual property portfolio."

Separately, the companies agreed to conclude their patent litigation, which involved a subset of their imaging technologies, reports a press release.