Eastman Kodak Company (EK) (commonly known as Kodak ) is a multinational imaging and photographic equipment, materials and services company headquartered in Rochester, New York, United States and incorporated in New Jersey. It was founded by George Eastman in 1892.
Kodak has long been known for its wide range of photographic film products. During most of the 20th century Kodak held a dominant position in photographic film, and in 1976 had a 90% market share of photographic film sales in the United States. Indeed Kodak's ubiquity was such that the phrase "Kodak moment" entered common lexicon as a personal event that demanded to be recorded for posterity.
Since the late 1990s, Kodak has struggled financially as a result of the decline in sales of photographic film, and 2007 was the most recent year in which the company made a profit. As part of its turnaround strategy, Kodak has focused on digital photography and digital printing. In the late 2000s, it has turned to aggressive patent litigation in order to generate revenue. As of 2011, Kodak is reportedly exploring the sale or licensing of its vast portfolio of patents in order to stave off bankruptcy. |