Arbiter delays ruling on Kodak’s patent claim against Apple and RIM

“A U.S. arbiter for trade disputes is delaying a decision on Eastman Kodak Co.’s high-stakes patent-infringement claim against smartphone makers Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd.,” The Associated Press reports.

An administrative judge overseeing the dispute at the U.S. International Trade Commission has set a new target date of Sept. 21, 2012, for deciding the case,” AP reports. “The nine-month extension will allow the judge to examine new expert testimony from Canadian BlackBerry maker RIM and address legal issues raised by Kodak.”

AP reports, “A favorable ruling could enable Kodak to receive up to $1 billion in fees.”

MacDailyNews Take: As currently constituted, will RIM even be here to pay in 9 months? And, for that matter, will Kodak be here to collect?

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