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\f0\fs24 \cf2 \cb3 (Image Source: Daniel Acker/{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-08/apple-joins-google-in-500-million-plus-bid-for-kodak-patents.html"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Bloomberg}})\ \
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\b \cf2 BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT \b0 \
\ Tech giants, and perennial competitors, Apple
and Google have reportedly come together to put in a collective bid for the picture-snapping
staple {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuImbHUy4Uc"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul \ulc4 Kodak}}...\
\ ...and that bid exceeds $500 million. Although
information is scant, sources close to the companies say that money will go toward acquiring
a bundle of Kodak\'92s 1,100 digital imaging patents.\
\ Surprised? Well, we don\'92t blame you.\
\ Especially considering the muddled history
of the two companies battling over smartphone supremacy. Just this year, a writer for {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://business.time.com/2012/10/12/why-apple-vs-google-is-the-most-important-battle-in-tech/"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul \ulc4 TIME}} called the struggle
for mobile turf control \b \'93The Most Important Battle In Tech.\'94
\b0 \ \
Apple and Google initially led individual efforts to *** up the patents but thought
their needs would be better met by burying the hatchet for this endeavor. Writers for{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-08/apple-joins-google-in-500-million-plus-bid-for-kodak-patents.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf4 \ul Bloomberg}} say this sort of harmonious
cooperation between competitive companies is nothing new.\
\
\b \'93Unlikely partnerships are typical in patent sales because they allow competitors
to neutralize potential infringement litigation. A group including Apple, Microsoft Corp. and
Research in Motion Ltd. bought Nortel Networks Corp.\'92s more than 6,000 patents for $4.5
billion out of bankruptcy last year.\'94 \b0 \
\ As {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.slashgear.com/apple-and-google-reportedly-join-forces-to-buy-kodak-patents-08260078/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf4 \ul \ulc4 Slash Gear}} notes, the Apple/Goolgle partnership is somewhat of a lifeline for
Eastman Kodak, which filed for bankruptcy in January of this year. The company showed
$5.1 billion in assets but was $6.5 billion in debt. That debt includes $950 million Citigroup
loan, which Kodak will pay off in part with the money it makes from the patent sales.\
\ If all goes as planned, Kodak anticipates
being out of bankruptcy by June 2013. But then what? Bloomberg reports the 132-year
old photography company will focus its efforts on shrinking the company, packaging and printing
services.\ }