Eastman Kodak Company announced Dec. 4 that it would sell substantially all the assets associated with its OLED business to a group of LG companies, and had entered into a technology cross-license agreement with LG Electronics, Inc., which will allow each company broad access to the other’s patent portfolio.
 
Kodak has been a pioneer in developing technology associated with OLED displays.  In the 1970s, Kodak scientists developed the world's first viable OLED material.

“As we said earlier this year, OLED is one of the businesses we wanted to reposition to maximize Kodak’s competitive advantage at the intersection of materials and imaging science,” said Laura G. Quatela, Kodak’s Chief Intellectual Property Officer and manager of the company’s OLED business. “This action is consistent with that strategy. Our OLED intellectual property portfolio is fundamental; however, realizing the full value of this business would have required significant investment.”

Kodak will have continuing access to its OLED technology for use in its products. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

The company also announced a technology cross-license agreement with LG Electronics, Inc. The license agreement, which provides significant benefits to both companies, is royalty-bearing to Kodak. Additional financial details were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial arrangement that advances the interests of Kodak and LG and validates the strength of Kodak’s intellectual property portfolio,” said Laura G. Quatela, Chief Intellectual Property Officer, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company.

The companies also agreed to conclude their patent litigation, which involved a subset of their imaging technologies. Pursuant to a settlement agreement, Kodak and LG will request that the U.S. International Trade Commission terminate the investigations initiated earlier this year following complaints filed by both companies in late 2008.