Palm responds to Apple's veiled threat of litigation

Palm fired back at Apple, making it clear that it would defend itself against any litigation that may arise over intellectual property rights with the iPhone maker.

During Apple's fiscal first quarter earnings conference call, acting CEO Tim Cook made it clear to rival smartphone makers that it would use "whatever weapons" at its disposal to defend its intellectual property. "I'm just making a general statement that we think competition is good; it makes us all better. And we're ready to suit up and go against anyone," he said. "However, we will not stand for having our [intellectual property] ripped off and we'll use whatever weapons we have at our disposal. I don't know that I can be more clear than that."

However, Palm was undaunted in the face of Cook's words, which many took as a thinly veiled warning at Palm, whose Pre smartphone shares many of the same features as Apple's iPhone 3G, including multi-touch technology.

"Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio, and we have long been recognized for our fundamental patents in the mobile space," Palm spokeswoman Lynn Fox said. "If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves."

Apple has in the past filed for patents on multi-touch technology, and, if granted, would force other handset makers to license the technology from Apple.  

For more:
- see this Boy Genius Report post [1]
- see this post
[2]- see this article [3]

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