According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple has asked the court currently overseeing Kodak's chapter 11 bankruptcy case for approval to file a lawsuit against the already struggling company. Apple is accusing Kodak of infringing upon its patents in printers, digital cameras and digital picture frames.

Apple said in a filing yesterday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York that it intends to file a complaint against Kodak at the International Trade Commission and a corresponding suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan based on patent-infringement claims. The suit will seek an order blocking Kodak’s infringement, according to the filing.

It's interesting to note that Apple did ask the court for permission to sue Kodak, which normally isn't a requirement. The company, however, "requests express authority from this court before it initiates the actions out of an abundance of caution."

Kodak will have the right to ask the court to halt the district court case until the ITC makes its ruling, though a court order on that request “is not required before Apple commences” its lawsuits, Apple said in the filing.

Kodak filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year and is currently in a court-operated auction to sell off its patents.