Codeshare Inventory different from CO?
 

I noticed today on seatcounter that for at least one flight (CO19 21nov08), co shows no BF availability while Emirates 6319 (the codeshare) shows 4 seats in BF (C class). [I confirmed the lack of BF availability on co.com.] I assume that there is some sort of agreement to hold these seats in the hope that someone forks over the rather exorbitant asking price ($6777 US).

So assuming that these seats aren't sold at that price, do they get released back to CO? Might one become available for a mileage+copay upgrade? More to the point, what's up with that?

It is possible that the code-share agreement is one where the inventory is purchased outright by the partner and sold as they see fit. It may be pre-paid and they may have the option to return it to CO at some point. I'm reasonably certain that CO won't let the seat fly empty if the partner can't sell it and someone is waitlisted for a reward, but who knows.