Kodak's auction of intellectual property has attracted the fiercest 'rivals' in the global patent battle into potential collaborators.

Apple, Google, HTC, LG 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.

The move of the bidding group would help keeping the price from ballooning beyond about half a billion dollars.

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. The company hopes to get over $2 billion for the portfolio of digital imaging patents.

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.