Bloomberg recently reported that Eastman Kodak has lined up a series of potential buyers for its intellectual property portfolio in an attempt to increase its available cash.

The company is expected to report a net loss for the sixth time in the past seven years, according to the news provider. With smartphones becoming the preferred method of consumer photography, disposable cameras and smaller digital cameras are nearly obsolete. Aside from the sale of its IP portfolio, Kodak has attempted to collect licensing fees from Research In Motion and Apple, both of which Kodak has accused of using its patented technology in their mobile handsets' cameras.

According to the news provider, it's likely that Apple, Microsoft, Google and Samsung will be among the prospective bidders for Kodak's IP portfolio, as the mobile giants attempt to improve the camera capabilities in their devices.

While Kodak's photography business is suffering, the company plans to boost its printing business and other digital products, according to the news provider.

As Google and Apple continue to battle for the lead in smartphone market share, IP is playing a major role in the battle. Recently, Google acquired Motorola Mobility for more than $12 billion in an attempt to boost its IP portfolio.