Epson UK Press Release

Following the highly successful sponsorship in 2004, Epson is proud to announce its continued support for the Association of Photographers (AOP) by sponsoring the 2005 AOP awards.

As a brand synonymous with top quality photographic production, Epson places high emphasis on the importance of maintaining excellent working relationships with the photographic industry. By continuing to work with the AOP in 2005, Epson will have the opportunity to join with the photographic stars of both the present and future, working together to ensure that the photographic image continues to be the most powerful form of communication available.

Wacom Press Release

Wacom partners with Adobe for Adobe Live Events around Europe

WACOM Europe GmbH is a partner of the Adobe Live 2005 Tour, which will be taking place throughout Europe from May 10th to June 28th. The Adobe Live Tour will stop in London from May 26th to 27th at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Live demonstrations will offer creative professionals including illustrators, typographers, photographers, graphics and industrial designers, the chance to see first hand the benefits of using Wacom¹s pen technology together with the new Adobe Creative Suite 2 (CS2). On show will be the Intuos3 pen tablet system, the Cintiq 21UX Interactive Pen Display and the new Intuos3 Art Marker - Wacom¹s first pen that can recognise the rotation of the pen tip, as well as its angle and pressure. This pen can be used to simulate all sorts of markers, brushes and calligraphic tools on a
computer. Adobe Illustrator CS2 and Adobe Photoshop CS2 already support the new functionality of the Intuos3 Art Marker, opening up new opportunities in the field of design.

Kodak’s digital strategy seems to be paying off, at least in the USA anyway, as they maintained their market share as number one digital camera retailer. Canon moved up to second whilst Sony dropped to third.

“Kodak shipped 900,000 point-shoot digital cameras to domestic retailers in the January-to-March quarter - 41 per cent more than in the first quarter of 2004 - and its market share rose to 20.4 per cent from 18.1 per cent a year ago, according to IDC, based in Framingham, Mass.”

Website: cnews - Kodak retains lead over Japanese giants

PENTAX Imaging Company and Six Flags, Inc. Press Release

GOLDEN, Colo., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ PENTAX Imaging Company and Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE: PKS) announced today that the world’s largest regional theme park company has selected one of the world’s most popular photography manufacturers as a national sponsor and “The Official Digital Camera Of Six Flags Theme Parks” for its 28 U.S. parks, beginning with the 2005 theme-park season.

Under the agreement, PENTAX Imaging Company will expand its presence at the parks and have category exclusivity and promotional rights in-park.

“This partnership blends the fun of a classic American theme park with a popular photography brand,” said Ned Bunnell, director of marketing, for PENTAX Imaging Company. “Six Flags is an American institution that offers a perfect background for visitors to capture and share memorable PENTAX digital photography.”

Kodak Press Release

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 4—Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced that it has received the approval of the European Union to complete its proposed acquisition of Creo Inc. (NASDAQ: CREO, TSX: CRE).

Kodak announced on January 31 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Creo, a premier supplier of prepress systems used by commercial printers worldwide. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Creo is the world’s No. 1 provider of workflow software used by printers to manage efficiently the movement of text, graphics and images from the computer screen to the printing press.The shareholders of Creo approved the transaction on March 29.

The EU’s action follows approvals received from regulatory authorities in Canada and Israel. Kodak continues to work with the authorities of the United States and South Africa to secure regulatory approval, and the company remains confident that it will complete the acquisition later this summer.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Who you gonna call? Fujifilm’s new digital technology support number - 0870 084 1310

Fujifilm has introduced a brand new and improved telephone system and support number (0870 084 1310), which will act as a valuable resource for its customers.

The new system is an entirely network-based telephony service, which will provide significantly increased levels of flexibility in the day-to-day running of Fujifilm’s technical support centre.

Cano Europe Press Release

Canon Europe collaborates with the RSA to develop waste giant designed to draw attention to the recycling challenge

LONDON, April 29, 2005 – Canon Europe, world leader in imaging technology, and the RSA, Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, today announced the launch of a joint environmental awareness initiative by unveiling the RSA WEEE Man.  The waste giant is an imposing seven metre high, three tonne human-like sculpture that will be on display at London’s City Hall on the South Bank.

The RSA WEEE Man has been created to highlight the growing problem of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the UK and across Europe. The waste giant is composed of electronic and electrical waste (including washing machines, TVs, mobile phones and vacuum cleaner tubes) and represents the amount of electrical appliance and electronic waste that an average person in the UK is likely to produce in their lifetime.

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak continues to back Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s flagship campaign during 2005

Hemel Hempstead, 27th April 2005 - Kodak is continuing its support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer during 2005 by again sponsoring the hugely successful Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) flagship campaign.

Jade Jagger appears in the new ad campaign appropriately entitled ‘SNAP!’ which will adorn billboard sites up and down the country and appear in magazines throughout the year. Since Breakthrough launched FTBC in the UK in 1996, it has raised over £5 million from the sale of more than 300,000 FTBC T-shirts and other products. Kodak has supported Breakthrough for 5 years and 2005 will see the total amount of funds raised by the Company top the £500,000 mark.

Canon USA Press Release

CANON INC. REPORTS RECORD RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2005

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 27, 2005 — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ — news) and a leader in imaging technologies, today announced Canon Inc. first-quarter 2005 consolidated net sales of 843.4 billion yen (US$ 7,882 million), which represents a year-over-year increase of 5.7% over first-quarter 2004.

Canon reported first-quarter net income of 93.1 billion yen (US$ 870 million), which represents a year-over-year increase of 10.4% and basic earnings per share of 104.93 yen (US$ 0.98).

Operating profit also advanced, improving 7.3% over first-quarter 2004.

Epson USA Press Release

Epson Takes Action Against Two Off-Brand Ink Cartridge Manufacturers to Protect Intellectual Property

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 27, 2005—Company Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Armor Group and Expands Scope of Existing Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Multi-Union Trading Co. Ltd.

Epson has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore., against the Armor Group, manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket ink cartridges, including its French-based head office Armor S.A, German manufacturing subsidiary Artech GmbH, and its U.S. sales subsidiary Armor USA Inc. The lawsuit by Epson Portland Inc., Epson America Inc. and Seiko Epson Corp. alleges that at least 30 models of replacement ink jet cartridges for Epson Stylus printers manufactured by Artech GmbH infringe Epson’s patents. A total of 12 patents are asserted, with each cartridge alleged to infringe several of these patents. The Armor cartridges are widely distributed at retail locations throughout the United States.

Kodak UK Press Release

Company to adopt Teams in Harrow and Hemel Hempstead in support of young people

Hemel Hempstead, April 25th 2005 - Kodak will be supporting the unique work of The Prince’s Trust in the areas of two of its key UK sites in support of young people facing barriers into work or further education. Kodak will adopt a Team of young people between 16-25 for a 12-week programme of personal development in both Hemel Hempstead and Harrow, with the specific aim of recruiting a proportion of participants from community disability groups.

Team Details:
Hemel Hempstead - Start Date 13th June at West Herts College on the Dacorum Campus in association with Watford YMCA
Harrow - Start Date 26th September at The Lodge, Harrow-on-the-Hill in association with Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College

100 Cameras Inc. Press Release

Unique Project Seeks to Capture the Astounding and Ordinary Moments of American Life

100 Cameras to Traverse the Country with Cameras, Photographers, Film and Imagination in Tow

Seattle, WA – April 25, 2005 – 100 Cameras Inc. is about to embark on a unique journey encompassing thousands of miles of road, a hundred cameras, a bunch of photographers and many, many rolls of film. The Seattle-based group has turned their joint fascination with cameras and road trips into a medium-spanning project that seeks to capture the image and essence of the American life that dwells next door, up the street and a hundred miles down the road.

Photographs allow us to see and reflect on the past, be it our own, our family’s, or our country’s. Yet each camera also has a history of its own. 100 Cameras has collected machines that reflect the different phases in American history, echoing the aesthetics and technical innovation of various eras. From the earliest cameras developed for amateurs and children to the pop culture defining Polaroid of the 60’s and 70’s, to the cell phone cameras of the new millennium, the design, marketing and subsequent embracement of photography as our culture’s mirror is a fascinating metaphor for the American landscape.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, has been awarded four best product medals in this year’s Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) awards. Cementing its place as the only imaging technology innovator to have leading edge products through the entire digital imaging chain, Canon took the main awards in each of the camera, printer and projector categories.

· “Best A4 Photo Printer in Europe, 2005” for its PIXMA iP8500 printer
· “Best Professional Digital SLR Camera in Europe, 2005” for its EOS-1Ds Mark II camera
· “Best Entry Level Digital SLR Camera in Europe, 2005” for its EOS 350D camera
· “Best Photo Projector in Europe, 2005” for its XEED SX50 projector

Kodak recorded a loss of $142 million, or 50 cents a share, in the January-March period, blaming a $3 billion splashout on expanding its business in photography, medical imaging and commercial printing.

“Sales of digital products and services in all its businesses rose 23 percent to $1.32 billion, helped by a sharp rise in sales of cameras, kiosks and thermal printers. But revenues on the analog side dropped 18 percent to $1.51 billion, 2 percentage points steeper than predicted. In the digital photography and motion-film unit, sales fell 9 percent to $1.8 billion while operating profits plunged to $4 million from $25 million. Sales of consumer film to dealers sank 29 percent, hurt especially by temporary reductions in inventory among retailers in China.”

Website: Yahoo! News - Kodak Posts Loss During Digital Transition

Lyra Research Press Release

A new Lyra survey examines the photo-printing behavior of U.S.-based digital photographers. Lyra’s Digital Photography Advisory Service is an online competitive research service for marketing and product managers in the digital camera, photo-quality printer, and online photo-service industry.

Newtonville, MA (PRWEB) April 20, 2005—According to Lyra Research’s 2004 U.S. Digital Photography Survey, more than 20 percent of women surveyed use a Kodak digital camera, while only 10 percent of men made Kodak their brand of choice. Men appear to prefer Canon digital cameras, with almost 17 percent of male respondents using that brand.

“The explanation is that women in general are less comfortable with technology and therefore are more attracted to trusted brands,” says Charles LeCompte, president of Lyra and director of Lyra’s Digital Photography Advisory Service. “ And the biggest brand in photography is, of course, Kodak.”

Ricoh Press Release

New Design Reflects Strong Global Commitment

TOKYO, April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Ricoh Company, Ltd. today unveiled its new corporate logo, which will become effective in September this year. The new logo symbolizes the Ricoh Group’s increased global presence.

The simple elegant design reflects Ricoh’s three core values: 1) Simplify knowledge creation, 2) Think solutions that fit, 3) Harmonize with the environment.

The rounded edges of the new logo were designed to express intelligence tempered by a friendly and human disposition. At the same time readability on a global scale is greatly enhanced.

Canon USA Press Release

“CASH IN WITH CANON” REBATE PROGRAM RETURNS WITH AN ARRAY OF REBATES

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 15, 2005 — Baseball season, picnics, family gatherings and other outdoor activities are in full swing. Canon U.S.A. helps make it easy and affordable to capture and share memories of important activities and events with a digital camera system through “Cash In With Canon” Rebate Program from April 15 — July 15, 2005.

Canon is offering mail-in rebates from $10 to $500 on select products, including the professional EOS-1D Mark II, EOS 20D and a variety of EF lenses. Additionally, Canon is offering mail-in rebates on select EX-series Speedlites and IS (Image Stabilizer) Binoculars.

“The Cash in With Canon Rebate Program makes the speed and precision of SLR photography even more affordable to consumers,” stated Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ). “We feel that this type of rebate program expands the variety of photographic possibilities for photographers while keeping their experiences affordable.”

Leica Press Release

The Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG, Solms, unanimously and jointly with the Company’s Board of Management, proposes measures to restore the capital base of the Company and to finance a restructuring. A simplified capital reduction by € 10.0 million to € 1.5 million will be proposed to the shareholders of the Company. Each three no-par-value shares are to be combined into one no-par-value share. Simultaneously, the capital reserve amounting to € 4.2 million will be released. Both measures will be implemented in order to offset depreciation and other losses totalling € 14.2 million.

Adobe Press Release

Combined Company to Deliver Industry-Defining Technology Platform for Rich, Interactive Content

SAN JOSE, Calif. - April 18, 2005 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Macromedia (Nasdaq: MACR) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion.

The combination of Adobe and Macromedia will provide customers a more powerful set of solutions for creating, managing and delivering compelling content and experiences across multiple operating systems, devices and media. Together, the two companies will meet a wider set of customer needs and have a significantly greater opportunity to grow into new markets, particularly in the mobile and enterprise segments.

“Customers are calling for integrated software solutions that enable them to create, manage and deliver a wide range of compelling content and applications - from documents and images to audio and video,” said Bruce Chizen, chief executive officer of Adobe. “By combining our powerful development, authoring and collaboration software - along with the complementary functionality of PDF and Flash - Adobe has the opportunity to bring this vision to life with an industry-defining technology platform.”

Bloomberg report that Kodak have overtaken Olympus in terms of digital camera sales, with Canon in first position, Sony second and Kodak now third.

“Canon Inc. edged past Sony to take the top global share with 17.1 percent, helped by sales of its digital single-lens reflex cameras, IDC said. Sony dropped to 16.7 percent. SLR cameras see images directly through the camera lens and are favored by professionals and advanced users. Rochester, New York- based Kodak, which last year surged past Sony Corp. as the top seller in the U.S., had an 11.8 percent global market share. Olympus had a 2004 market share of 11.2 percent. Nikon Corp. pulled ahead of Fuji Photo Film Co. for fifth place with 9.3 percent to 9.1 percent for Fuji.”

Website: Bloomberg - Kodak Rises to Third in Global Digital-Camera Sales