Kodak Scores Patent Licence Royalty Pact From IMAX (EK, IMAX)

Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK) is a troubled company where any bit of good news can help.  News is out on Monday that IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) will broaden the application of digital cinema technologies in theatres and enhance the consumer’s movie-going experience. As part of the deal, IMAX has licensed “certain exclusive rights in the digital cinema field to a portfolio of more than 50 patent families covering fundamental laser projection technology” from Kodak .

The news report also showed that IMAX has also licensed “certain exclusive rights in the digital cinema field to a broader range of Kodak patents covering complementary technologies useful for laser projection products” from Kodak.

Unfortunately, we do not know what the royalties paid to Kodak will be other than that it is a royalty bearing payment contract that will be paid to Kodak.  Unfortunately, the deal may not arrive in time.  IMAX noted that it plans to introduce the laser-projection technology “by the second half of 2013” and that Kodak engineers “will work closely with IMAX engineers over the next 18 months…”

Eastman Kodak shares are up 8% at $1.34 versus a $1.24 close on Friday, but the 52-week range is $0.54 to $5.95.  Kodak shares might be up more, but many investors do not believe that Kodak has another 18 months on an “as is” basis before it runs into even worse financial shape.

JON C. OGG