The treasury of world photography has already been placed. Eastman Kodak sold - reportedly undersold - its digital imaging patents to a consortium of buyers for about $525 million, less than a quarter of the $2,6 billion starting price when the auction began in August. in the context of bankruptcy exit plan.
To grab the 1100 patents, a group of 12 companies. According to the documents cited by the Financial Times, the companies involved include Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Huawei, HTC, RIM (Blackberry), Amazon, Facebook, Fujifilm and Shutterfly.
For the historic film manufacturer, the deal is the latest step in repositioning itself in the market as a company specializing in professional printing. "Monetizing with patents is a stepping stone to success," said Antonio Perez, chief executive officer at Kodak.
When completed, the sale will allow the Rochester-based firm to pay off a "substantial sum" of debt. The transaction is subject to approval by the Manhattan bankruptcy court.
And while an old glory disappears, the photography market is shocked by another piece of news, this time coming from London. The Japanese manufacturer Olympus and its British subsidiary Gyrus Group – reports the BBC – end up under investigation for fraud. They are accused of providing “misleading, false and deceptive” information regarding Gyrus Group accounts.
