U.S. trade body to probe RIM, Apple smartphones

The U.S. International Trade Commission said it launched an investigation of Research In Motion and Apple mobile telephones that contain digital cameras after receiving a complaint from Eastman Kodak Co.

The trade body said it voted to open an investigation after Kodak alleged patent infringement by Research In Motion Ltd, maker of BlackBerry smartphones and Apple Inc, maker of the popular iPhone.

The products at issue in this investigation are smartphones with built-in cameras, the agency said in a statement.

Kodak filed its complaint on January 14.

The ITC said it has not made any decision on the merits of the case, which will be assigned to one of six administrative law judges.

The U.S. ITC case number is 337-TA-703.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)