The International Trade Commission said it launched an investigation of Research In Motion (RIM) and Apple smartphones that contain digital cameras after receiving a complaint from Eastman Kodak Co.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, NY, on January 14, 2010. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain mobile telephones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras and components thereof that infringe a patent asserted by Kodak. The complainant requests that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

The USITC has identified Research In Motion, Ltd., of Canada; Research In Motion Corporation of Irving, TX; and Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA. as respondents in this investigation.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.

On January 14, 2010, Kodak had also filed two lawsuits in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York against Apple that allege infringement of patents related to the image preview and image size functions of digital cameras, and certain computer processes.