Eastman Kodak says it is examining its "strategic alternatives" for 1,100 patents on digital imaging, which could include a sale. Its shares rose almost 5 percent in premarket trading on the disclosure.

The 131-year-old photography company's announcement Wednesday comes as it is suing Apple Inc. and Research In Motion Ltd., the maker of the BlackBerry phones, for infringement of some of those patents.

There's a scramble for patents in the technology world, as companies seek to shore up their defenses against competitors.

The patents Kodak is shopping around account for about 10 percent of the company's total portfolio.

Rochester, N.Y.-based Eastman Kodak Co.'s shares rose 11 cents, or 4.8 percent, to $2.42 in pre-market trading.

Late Monday, Kodak scored a minor victory as the U.S. International Trade Commission rejected a counterclaim by Apple that Kodak cameras infringe on Apple patents.