Research In Motion and Apple smartphones, having digital cameras are being interrogated by the International Trade Commission, as they got a complaint from Eastman Kodak Co.

The trade body opened an investigation into Canada's Research In Motion Ltd. (maker of BlackBerry smartphones), and Apple Inc. ( maker of the iPhone), as Kodak claimed copyright intrusion by the same.

Kodak filed a complaint on January 14 with the ITC, and on the very day it filed two lawsuits in U. S. District Court for the Western District of New York against Apple for intrusion of patents connected to image preview and image size functions and computer processes of digital cameras.

Though, Kodak has welcomed Apple and RIM for open talks, it wants compensation for using its technology. It is looking forward to ITC to stop Apple and RIM from importing infringing devices, featuring digital cameras. It also claims that Apple is dishonestly using technology, that permits computer programs to "ask for help" from other programs.

ITC has the liberty and the authority to bar the import of items made with contravening technology.

According to Reuters, Kodak predicts pulling in an average of between $250 million and $350 million in licensing revenue annually for a few years to come. Kodak's 2009 revenue was about $7.6 billion.