Kodak Takes on HP

In a story reported widely over the Internet, Kodak and HP are in a dogfight over Kodak's claims about reducing the cost of printing when compared to the competition. Kodak is maintaining its stance that all of their claims have been substantiated, but HP lodged a complaint that Kodak was using false advertising with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The matter has been transferred upwards to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) because of Kodak's failure to participate in a hearing related to this matter. The FTC as a consumer protection agency has the authority to seek compliance with an organization or begin litigation in matters such as this. These matters are generally not settled quickly, and it could result in a large amount of bad press for Kodak for the foreseeable future. The other route here would be for Kodak to either prove their claims sufficiently to the FTC, or accept the recommendations offered by the FTC.