UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 20, 2011
Eastman Kodak Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
New Jersey
|
1-87
|
16-0417150
|
|
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
|
(Commission File Number)
|
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
|
343 State Street,
Rochester, New York 14650
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (585) 724-4000
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
|
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
|
|
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
|
|
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
|
|
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
|
ITEM 8.01 Other Events.
On July 20, 2011, Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak) announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives related to its digital imaging patent portfolios. The portfolios include more than 1,100 U.S. patents that are fundamental to the digital imaging industry.
Further information is referenced in the press release attached to this document as Exhibit (99.1).
ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
|
(99.1)
|
Press release issued by Eastman Kodak Company on July 20, 2011, announcing that Kodak is exploring Strategic Alternatives for Fundamental Imaging Patent Portfolios.
|
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
By: /s/ Patrick M. Sheller
Patrick M. Sheller
Secretary
Date: July 20, 2011
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
INDEX TO EXHIBIT
Exhibit No.
|
(99.1)
|
Press release issued by Eastman Kodak Company on July 20, 2011, announcing that Kodak is exploring Strategic Alternatives for Fundamental Imaging Patent Portfolios.
|
3
Exhibit (99.1)
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Media Contacts:
David Lanzillo, Kodak, +1 585-781-5481, david.lanzillo@kodak.com
Gerard Meuchner, Kodak, +1 585-724-4513, gerard.meuchner@kodak.com
Kodak Exploring Strategic Alternatives for Fundamental Digital Imaging Patent Portfolios
ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 20 – Eastman Kodak Company announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives related to its digital imaging patent portfolios, a move reflecting the current heightened market demand for intellectual property.
Kodak’s portfolios include more than 1,100 U.S. patents pertaining to capturing, processing, storing, organizing, editing, and sharing digital images, as well as imaging monetization applications, which are fundamental to the digital imaging industry. Those patents represent approximately 10% of Kodak’s total U.S. patent portfolio.
To assist in this effort, Kodak has retained Lazard LLC as its adviser. As the effort proceeds, Kodak will continue to pursue its successful patent licensing program as well as all litigation related to its digital imaging technology.
“Given recent trends in the marketplace for intellectual property, we believe the time is right to explore smart, opportunistic alternatives for our digital imaging patent portfolios,” said Laura G. Quatela, Kodak’s General Counsel and a Senior Vice President of the company. "This effort reaffirms our commitment to the three pillars of our intellectual property strategy -- design freedom, access to new markets and partnerships, and cash generation."
Kodak invented the digital camera and since then has pioneered many of the major advances in digital imaging devices, systems and services. The company’s portfolios of more than 1,100 digital imaging patents – plus foreign counterparts and related patent applications – comprise the world’s richest collection of imaging-related technology.
#
About Kodak
As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.
More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery -- join today at www.kodakgallery.com.
Choose from the widest selection of Kodak digital cameras, all-in-one inkjet printers, pocket video cameras and more at http://store.kodak.com.
2011
2