Apple and Google Teaming Up on $500 Million Bid for Kodak Patents

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg reports that Apple and Google have joined forces to put forward a bid of more than $500 million to purchase the patent portfolio of bankrupt imaging pioneer Eastman Kodak.

The two companies, competing for dominance of the smartphone market, have partnered after leading two separate consortia this summer to buy Kodak's 1,100 imaging patents, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is private.

Unlikely partnerships are typical in patent sales because they allow competitors to neutralize potential infringement litigation.

Sources indicate that Apple had originally teamed up with Microsoft and patent holding company Intellectual Ventures, while Google had aligned with its hardware partners and patent holding firm RPX.

The report does not indicate why Apple and Google ultimately decided to abandon their separate bids and team up on an offer for Kodak's patents, although a previous report had indicated that the two sides were likely cooperating in order to prevent a bidding war that would drive up the cost of the patents.

Kodak's bankruptcy financing is contingent upon the company receiving at least $500 million for its patent portfolio, and the joint bid by Apple and Google seems to meet that requirement.

Apple and Kodak have a bit of an interesting history, having worked together on a mid-1990s project for Apple's QuickTake line of digital cameras. The intellectual property from that collaboration has been the subject of some dispute, with Apple claiming that Kodak is not the rightful owner of patents related to that work.

Article Link: Apple and Google Teaming Up on $500 Million Bid for Kodak Patents

[gotluck]

cooperation?

[jwdsail]

Originally Posted by gotluck

cooperation?

I believe Darrell Waltrip would say "Coopetition" ;-)

[mr jnvii]

Sad to see Kodak go

[AppleScruff1]

Originally Posted by mr jnvii

Sad to see Kodak go

I have to agree, it is sad. In so many ways, Kodak is photography.

[brdeveloper]

Originally Posted by AppleScruff1

I have to agree, it is sad. In so many ways, Kodak is photography.

Hopefully Google or Apple will bring a digital sensor to my film cameras. I would definitely buy an iRoll. Looks innovative bringing old (and pretty good) cameras back to life. I imagine it transferring my pictures immediately to my Android/iOS device, working as an external Live View.

This would push Apple seriously into the camera market. Would compete with professional gear with all the processing power and portability a smartphone can give.

Just dreaming...

[Since 1984]

Originally Posted by mr jnvii

Sad to see Kodak go

No sad at all. Although the digital research and innovation were integral to the development of those technologies, most everything else they was sub-standard or plain bad: color paper that was just garbage, consumer film that was grainy, professional film with poor contrast and color fidelity, consumer electronics that were out of date before they hit the market, etc

The only exceptions were Eastman motion picture films which were outstanding.

The demise of Kodak is a warning for Apple: innovate quality or die!

[osaga]

They just want the color patent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpaNJqF4po

[kalsta]

Originally Posted by Since 1984

No sad at all. Although the digital research and innovation were integral to the development of those technologies, most everything else they was sub-standard or plain bad: color paper that was just garbage, consumer film that was grainy, professional film with poor contrast and color fidelity, consumer electronics that were out of date before they hit the market, etc

Kodak made mistakes in recent years, obviously, or this wouldn't have happened. People are still allowed to feel sad about the fall of a great company with such a long and proud history. It's a history a lot older than you, and your subjective view of a handful of recent products.

[1957GoldTop]

Originally Posted by Since 1984

No sad at all. Although the digital research and innovation were integral to the development of those technologies, most everything else they was sub-standard or plain bad: color paper that was just garbage, consumer film that was grainy, professional film with poor contrast and color fidelity, consumer electronics that were out of date before they hit the market, etc

The only exceptions were Eastman motion picture films which were outstanding.

The demise of Kodak is a warning for Apple: innovate quality or die!

You're joking right? Kodak's professional film was and still is the standard. I'm a professional photographer (a real one, not an ex-dentist that now takes pictures of pregnant moms and pets) and when I shoot film only use Kodak. Tri-x is THE legendary b&w film. Kodachrome is a beyond iconic color film and Portra is a spectacular color negative film.

So, while Kodak screwed a lot of things up, professional film was never one of them.

[MacDav]

Originally Posted by Since 1984

No sad at all. Although the digital research and innovation were integral to the development of those technologies, most everything else they was sub-standard or plain bad: color paper that was just garbage, consumer film that was grainy, professional film with poor contrast and color fidelity, consumer electronics that were out of date before they hit the market, etc

The only exceptions were Eastman motion picture films which were outstanding.

The demise of Kodak is a warning for Apple: innovate quality or die!

This would imply that Apple is on a path similar to Kodak's and must change course to stay alive. If you mean this as a general statement, then it applies to every maker of tech and not just Apple. Either way it is simplistic and reckless.

[Macinposh]

Originally Posted by Since 1984

No sad at all. Although the digital research and innovation were integral to the development of those technologies, most everything else they was sub-standard or plain bad: color paper that was just garbage, consumer film that was grainy, professional film with poor contrast and color fidelity.

You have absolutely no clue what you are talking about.

Stop spewing ****.

[Pyrrhic Victory]

Originally Posted by gotluck

cooperation?

More like collusion.

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by Pyrrhic Victory

More like collusion.

Apple doesn't really _want_ these patents, all they want is not getting sued by Google or anyone else. And Google doesn't really _want_ these patents, all they want is not getting sued by Apple or anyone else. Since there is an obvious way how they can both achieve what they want at a relatively low price, instead of getting in a bidding war in which one achieves what they want at a much too high cost, and the other loses out, it would be outright stupidity not to team up.

Kodak will get what the patents are worth, and not more. If someone thinks they are worth more than $500 million, they can bid.

Originally Posted by mabaker

Google has no right even to bid on these patents. Apple and Kodak invented the digital camera and now Google shall have Apple's hard work just like that? Patent system is really broken.

Here is your problem: I bet you don't make underwear. I bet you don't make trousers, shirts, socks, or shoes. So obviously you don't have any right to buy any of these and have to run around naked for the rest of your life.

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by gnasher729

Apple doesn't really _want_ these patents, all they want is not getting sued by Google or anyone else. And Google doesn't really _want_ these patents, all they want is not getting sued by Apple or anyone else. Since there is an obvious way how they can both achieve what they want at a relatively low price, instead of getting in a bidding war in which one achieves what they want at a much too high cost, and the other loses out, it would be outright stupidity not to team up.

I agree 100%. Both sides want less of this pointless litigation stuff through the courts. I am glad both sides can put aside their differences to achieve this common goal. Maybe this idea can spread to other aspects too.

[Gasu E.]

Originally Posted by gotluck

cooperation?

Kumbaya.

----------

Originally Posted by Marrakas

I'm gonna patent patenting so that everyone who want's a patent have to pay me. Then I'm gonna use the money building a car that runs on tears.

I'm going to patent making dumb "I'm going to patent something dumb" jokes.

[Marrakas]

Originally Posted by Gasu E.

I'm going to patent making dumb "I'm going to patent something dumb" jokes.

Good, maybe you can use the money to cure mental illness.

[kdarling]

Excellent.

Thermonuclear friendship.

[thekev]

Originally Posted by kdarling

Excellent.

Thermonuclear friendship.

I'm now tempted to combine images of explosions with rainbows and ponies.

[petsounds]

I used an Apple QuickTake 100 in college (worked at a campus computer store) to take photos of a few rock shows. It was one of the first digital cameras, and it did NOT take good pictures. The convenience/quality tradeoff wasn't there, and the whole digital ecosystem didn't really exist for general usage yet. Ahead of its time, but very flawed. I wasn't aware these Kodak patents centered around that piece of junk.

[macs4nw]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

.....The report does not indicate why Apple and Google ultimately decided to abandon their separate bids and team up on an offer for Kodak's patents, although a previous report had indicated that the two sides were likely cooperating in order to prevent a bidding war that would drive up the cost of the patents.....
Article Link: Apple and Google Teaming Up on $500 Million Bid for Kodak Patents

A strategic love-hate relationship that will give each side leverage against each other, and more importantly, against others with whom they may be embroiled in legal patent wrangling. No matter how you look at it, a win-win for both GOOGLE and APPLE.

[DeathChill]

Originally Posted by thekev

I'm now tempted to combine images of explosions with rainbows and ponies.

Are you implying that you don't have already dozens of those on your computer? What kind of monster are you?

[johannar]

wow, Google and Apple, is this a reality?

[Glideslope]

Originally Posted by kdarling

Excellent.

Thermonuclear friendship.

The "Yes we see Samsung" era has begun. The next 2 years will determine the future.

----------

Originally Posted by hamkor04

what about Microsoft, IBM, Samsung and other tech giants who MIGHT be beneficial from Kodaks patents? Or they don't need that?

Microsoft? Can probably get cheap license fees if WIN8 Phone is a bomb.

IBM? Um, ok.

Samsung? Easy. $20 a handset. Or no cameras.

----------

Originally Posted by bflowers

Why is Apple even working with Google on this? They have enough cash just in Steve's old sofa to buy Kodak outright and still have enough to buy an overpriced Facebook! Not that they would want Facebook.

To defeat a common enemy. Samsung.

[Purant]

Originally Posted by Glideslope

To defeat a common enemy. Samsung.

How is Samsung an enemy to Google?

And how are these patents related to taking Samsung down?