Apple, Google Line Up to Bid for Kodak's Patents

Battle lines are forming in Eastman Kodak's patent sale ahead of July 30’s initial bid deadline. At least two groups are expected to bid on Kodak's trove of 1,100 patents, with a bevy of technology and patent heavyweights picking sides and competing for the patents, said people familiar with the matter. Apple, Microsoft and Intellectual Ventures Management LLC, a patent-aggregation firm, are teaming to form one bidding group, the people said. The other consortium includes Google, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, HTC and another patent aggregation firm, RPX Corp., the people said.