Eastman Kodak

Kodak will launch 10 new digital solutions and feature more than 30 industry partners that enable printers to offer their customers new applications and improve operational efficiencies. New printing systems include the 1,000-fpm Kodak Prosper 6000XL press and 3,000-fpm Kodak Prosper S30 imprinting system.

Eastman Kodak has entered into an agreement with Shutterfly for the proposed sale of certain assets of its Kodak Gallery online photo services business for $23.8 million. The agreement comprises the initial, stalking-horse bid in a court-supervised auction process.

The agreement establishes Graphic Innovators as an authorized sales agent of Kodak Prosper S-Series imprinting systems to customers in the Americas region. “The beauty of the Prosper S-Series system is that it’s a scalable solution that allows printers with offset equipment to enter the digital arena,” said Paul Minasian, vice president/general manager, Graphic Innovators.

Themed “Sharing Knowledge to Drive Results,” the event featured a series of engaging keynote speakers and standing-room-only breakout sessions. A consistently busy GUA Innovation Technology Lab highlighted Kodak Solutions and Services, partner solutions, workflow demos and new applications.

Eastman Kodak Co. will lay off 66 employees by April 19, the company has told the Ohio government. “Over the next few weeks, smaller layoffs are expected from other departments in Dayton, and we will keep you updated as they occur,” Marva Cosby, Kodak human resources director for digital printing solutions, said in the letter.

Earlier this month, in response to questions from the Dayton Daily News, a Kodak spokesman acknowledged that 80 or more of the company’s approximately 500 Kettering employees will be laid off. The layoffs represent about 16 percent of Kodak’s local work force.

Apple said in a filing yesterday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York that it intends to file a complaint against Kodak at the International Trade Commission and a corresponding suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan based on patent-infringement claims.

Apple previously claimed it is the true owner of the image- preview patent that is the subject of infringement claims lodged against Apple and Research in Motion Ltd. The Cupertino, California-based company contends that it developed a digital camera in the early 1990s that it shared with Kodak, and that Kodak then sought the patent on the technology.

Kodak announced it plans to phase out its dedicated capture devices business—comprising digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames—in the first half of 2012. The company will instead expand its current brand licensing program, and seek licensees in these categories.

Kodak will be in full force at Drupa 2012, showcasing a number of new technologies and solutions and unveiling significant partnerships in the key markets that the company serves around the world. In addition, attendees will hear from customers about the changes taking place in their markets and how they’re finding success by partnering with Kodak.

ROCHESTER, NY—Eastman Kodak and its U.S. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions this week for Chapter 11 business reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Kodak has obtained a $950 million debtor-in-possession credit facility from Citigroup. The company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to operate its business during Chapter 11, and to continue the flow of goods and services to its customers.