Kodak, Sony Settle Patent Infringement SuitsKodak, Sony Settle Patent Infringement Suits

Eastman Kodak and Sony have entered into a cross-licensing agreement that settles digital photography patent infringement suits the companies had filed against each other.

In a statement released Wednesday, Kodak said it also had entered a similar technology agreement with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. Under both agreements, the companies will have access to each other's imaging technologies. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Kodak said it will receive royalties.

"We are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial arrangement that advances the interests of the three companies," Laura G. Quatela, VP and managing director of intellectual property transactions for Kodak, said in a statement. "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."

Kodak sued Sony in March 2004 in federal court in New York, accusing the consumer electronics company of infringing on 10 patents related to digital photography. Sony filed a similar federal lawsuit three weeks later against Kodak, in which the Japanese company accused Kodak of infringing on its patents related to digital cameras. Kodak said the licensing agreements settle the lawsuits.