US Trade Commission Investigating Samsung, LG Over Patent Dispute

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has decided to investigate whether camera phones from Samsung and LG Electronics are infringing patents held by Eastman Kodak, following a complaint submitted last month.

The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile telephones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras and components thereof that infringe patents owned by Eastman Kodak Company.

The patents in dispute relate to image capture, compression and data storage, and a method for previewing motion images. If the ITC upholds the complaint, it has the power to ban the importing of mobile phones from those two companies pending a settlement of the patent dispute.

The ITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the ITC's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.

In statements issued last month when Kodak initiated its legal action, both Samsung and LG denied the claims.

Posted to the site on 16th December 2008