Fujifilm sues Motorola over cell phone lens

A unit of Fujifilm Holdings Corp. has sued Motorola over claims it infringed patents for lenses used in cell phones.

Motorola is selling more than 20 mobile phone models, including its popular Razr 3, that use lenses protected by three patents awarded in 2004 and 2005, Fujifilm's Fujinon unit said in the lawsuit filed Wednesday. Fujinon asked a judge to block Motorola's infringement and award unspecified damages.

"By its infringing conduct, Motorola has made unlawful gains and profits," Fujinon said in its complaint filed in federal court in Wilmington, Del. "Motorola has thus caused Fujinon irreparable damage and will continue to cause Fujinon additional charges."

The suit is Fujinon's latest attempt to protect these patents. Last month, the company settled a similar suit against LG Electronics Inc., Asia's second-largest maker of mobile phones behind Samsung Group, over photographic lenses. Terms of that agreement weren't disclosed.

Officials of Schaumburg-based Motorola comments on pending litigation.

"That said, we have reviewed Fujinon's lawsuit and believe this is a matter that involves our supplier relationships and will work to resolve the matter through them," spokesman Chuck Kaiser said in a statement.

Fujifilm, based in Tokyo, is the world's biggest maker of liquid-crystal display film. Fujinon, based in Saitama, Japan, is the optical-equipment unit of the company.

Fujifilm's American depositary receipts, each worth one ordinary share, rose 48 cents to $42.21 Thursday in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. Shares of Motorola rose 23 cents to $17.42 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.