Sony has counter-sued Eastman Kodak, claiming that the photography pioneer has infringed ten of its digital camera patents.

The suit, filed with the US District Court of New Jersey this week, is a direct response to similar allegations made last month by Kodak against Sony.

By an amazing coincidence, the number of patents Kodak claims Sony has wilfully violated totals ten. Both companies are now seeking damages from each other and injunctions blocking the sale of allegedly infringing products.

The pair have been in talks for several years now, trying to thrash out a joint licensing agreement, but to no avail. Fed up, Kodak decided its only recourse lay through the courts. Now Sony shares that view.

Sony is the market leader in digital still cameras, a position Kodak is keen to challenge by transferring its market leadership in film cameras to the new, digital medium. In January, Kodak announced it would this year cease to offer 35mm film cameras in the US and Europe. ®

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