Eastman Kodak is alleging in a legal action against Sony that the consumer electronics company infringed ten of Kodak's patents related to digital photography.
Kodak's patents in question date from 1987 to 2003 on inventions related to a range of tasks, such as reproducing video images, printing, previewing and storing images.
Kodak said the action follows the failure of talks between the companies that Kodak hoped would produce a licensing pact.
In a statement, Sony said it "has not violated any Kodak patent related to digital imaging and will vigorously defend any allegation made in this regard."
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against further use of the technology and monetary damages.
Kodak already has licensing agreements with rival camera makers Olympus and Sanyo.
Shares of Kodak closed off 47 cents, or 1.8 per cent, at $26.36 on the New York Stock Exchange last night. US-listed shares of Sony slipped 4 cents or 0.1 per cent to end at $40.93 on the NYSE.