But Kodak wanted a bit more than what the coalition is offering.

Chris Foresman - Aug 17 2012

Occasional bitter rivals Apple, Google, and Samsung are reportedly teaming up to acquire a range of digital imaging patents from Kodak's bankruptcy fire sale, according to the Wall Street Journal. Apple and Google in particular had recently been making competitive bids for the patents, but the two companies decided to work together, along with Samsung, HTC, LG, and others, to keep the price from ballooning beyond about half a billion dollars.

The beleaguered Kodak entered bankruptcy earlier this year, planning to liquidate much of its patent portfolio in order to pay off creditors and emerge as a leaner operation. However, the company had hoped to get over $2 billion for the portfolio of digital imaging patents that Apple and other smartphone manufacturers are interested in.

It seems that neither Apple nor Google feel the patents are worth that price. According to sources speaking to the WSJ, the companies decided to create a coalition to buy the patents as part of a pool. Apple had used the same strategy last year when it teamed up with Microsoft and RIM to buy up 3G and 4G related technology patents from the defunct Nortel.

While Apple is currently embroiled in a high-profile patent lawsuit with Samsung, and by proxy Google, it seems the parties can work together on patents in some cases. The interest here seems to be mutual benefit, as Kodak has aimed its digital imaging patents in lawsuits against Apple, RIM, HTC, Samsung, and other smartphone makers.