Standards group the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has endorsed Apple's decision to block Palm Pre handsets from synching with iTunes, stating that Palm, not Apple had breached its policies.
Palm filed a complaint to the forum last month, arguing that Apple was restraining trade by only allowing Apple devices to synch to iTunes – a violation of the group’s membership agreement.
But USB-IF yesterday dismissed the claim, saying Palm had not established that Apple was using its vendor ID number contrary to the group's policies.
It said in fact that Palm's plan to use Apple's vendor ID number to represent the Pre as an Apple product violated the organization’s rules.
“Under the policy, Palm may only use the single Vendor ID issued to Palm for Palm’s usage. Usage of any other company’s Vendor ID is specifically precluded,” the letter reads, according to All Things Digital.
The forum has given Palm seven days to respond to the potential violation. Palm said it would review the letter and respond.