Kodak didn't want to tick off their retail distributors to offer serious digital image processing. Look where it got them. The problem for both is/was the jump

Kodak didn't want to tick off their retail distributors to offer serious digital image processing. Look where it got them. The problem for both is/was the jump from middleman-controlled to direct-to-customer involves a huge backlash in the process. The middleman will have to follow thru on the threat to drop distribution completely, at a time that direct customer contact is growing but still inadequate to make up that loss. Cutting out the middleman means a big hole that takes time to fill; it's killing the cash cow then waiting for the calf to mature.