Kodak Seeks Auction of Patents After no ‘Stalking Horse’ Bidder Emerges

ROCHESTER, NY—June 11, 2012—Eastman Kodak filed a motion seeking approval of bidding procedures for the bankruptcy auction of its digital capture and Kodak Imaging Systems and Services (KISS) patent portfolios, comprising more than 1,100 patents that are integral to the capture, manipulation and sharing of digital images.

Kodak’s motion outlines a sale process that is open to all qualified bidders subject to the rules of the bidding procedures. No disclosure of the unsuccessful bidders will be made to other bidders or the public. Only the winning bidder and the amount of the successful bid will be announced publicly at the end of the auction.

“The proposed structure of the auction is tailored to the special nature of the assets,” said Timothy M. Lynch, Kodak vice president and chief intellectual property officer. “The bidding procedures are designed to allow bidders to give us their best offers without fear of showing their cards to competitors. In filing these proposed procedures in advance of the June 30 deadline in our lending agreement, we are moving ahead as quickly as possible with the process of monetizing our digital imaging patent portfolio.”

Over the past 12 months, Kodak’s financial advisor, Lazard, has conducted an extensive marketing process for these assets. To date, 20 parties have signed confidentiality agreements and have been provided access to an electronic data room.

Lynch noted that the two portfolios being sold have different characteristics and may interest different buyers.

• The digital capture portfolio includes more than 700 patents, covering key aspects of image capture, processing and transmission technologies that are crucial to the design and operation of digital cameras and multi-function devices, including camera-enabled smartphones and tablets.
• The KISS Portfolio includes over 400 patents that cover technologies including image analysis, manipulation and tagging and network-based services, including image storage, access and fulfillment.

Since 2001, Kodak has generated more than $3 billion from licensing its digital imaging portfolio to industry leaders, including Samsung, LG, Motorola and Nokia, and is currently pursuing patent litigation against infringers that include Apple, RIM and HTC.

Kodak expects the motion to approve bidding procedures to be heard by the Court on July 2, 2012, the auction to be held in early August, and the winning bidder to be announced by August 13, 2012.

Source: Kodak.