As you know, a few years ago the company Kodak accused several major companies of patent infringement related to digital camera previews. With someone the number passed, but with someone not.
For example, the Korean giants LG Electronics и Samsung decided that it was easier not to get involved and pay the required amounts, in the amount of $400 million and $500 million, respectively. However, R.I.M. и Apple They refused to pay and the case went to court. The decision was not in favor Kodak. The US International Trade Commission has ruled that the claim of the manufacturer of photographic equipment has nothing to do with mobile devices.
However, in Kodak did not agree with this conclusion and filed an appeal. The company expects to receive damages in the amount of one billion dollars.
In general, theoretically Kodak may demand monetary payments from any manufacturer of digital cameras and mobile equipment in which digital cameras are embedded. But the company decided to deal with the largest, and therefore the richest. The reason for such proceedings is classic - digital cameras Kodak are not very popular, things are not going well in the consumer market, to put it mildly. And this means that the company urgently needs money. And litigation is the easiest way.