The fallout from a obvious disagreement between Kodak and web print site Shutterfly could entangle many online picture sites, says obvious experts.
Kodak claimed it owns patents concerning the manifestation of online images that is being infringed by Shutterfly.
The photo-sharing site disputes these claims and has launched a opposite suit.
But the turning point box could have ramifications for other renouned online print sites such as Yahoo's Flickr and Google's Picassa.
The past two years have seen a number of cases launched that affirm online print sites have breached patents.
But this is the initial time such a large, determined technology firm has sought to assert its rights over online images, mentioned Deborah Bould, a dilettante in egghead skill at law firm Pinsent Masons.
Kodak's preference to beginning authorised trial against Shutterfly will have put scores of web-based print companies such as Flickr and Google, on high alert, she told BBC News.
"The patents Kodak binds are incredibly broad, effectively casing images that are stored mainly and may be systematic online," she said.
That's expected to meant Kodak will go after other online picture sites it believes moreover transgress its patents, she added.
Kodak mentioned it has over 400 identical patents.
"We are committed to safeguarding these properties from without official authorization use," it mentioned in a statement.
Given the responsibility of obvious cases, many not as big firms may select to looseness Kodak's technology rsther than than free-for-all claims, mentioned Theo Savvides, head of egghead skill at Osborne Clarke.
But firms such as Google and Yahoo "have low pockets" that would enable them to dare Kodak's claims, he added.
Such challenges would expected concentration on the effect of Kodak's patents, mentioned Ms Bould.
The box may hinge on Kodak's ability to uncover that when it filed the patents they covered technology that was honestly innovative, she added.
Kodak has been strike hard by the change towards digital photography, but has not long ago shown a larger eagerness to assert its rights for technology it believes impinge on its patents.
Earlier this year Kodak mentioned it would sue Apple and BlackBerry maker, Research in Motion, over technology used in their handsets.
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