USB group backs Apple over Palm

Standards body rules in favour of Apple in the long-running cat-and-mouse dispute between Apple and Palm over iTunes compatibility

The body behind the USB standard has sided with Apple rather than Palm in the long-running dispute over getting the Palm Pre to sync with Apple's iTunes software.

Palm had complained to the USB Implementers Forum - the group that polices the USB standard - that Apple was breaking the 'rules' by stopping Palm from using the USB 'vendor ID' signature to sync with iTunes.

Palm has touted the the Pre's ability to sync with iTunes as a major feature - one that makes it especially easy for iPhone users to make the switch.

But many observers felt that Palm's move was a bit cheeky as Palm itself was trying to pass itself off as an Apple product by using - or abusing - that very same vendor ID method.

The USB Implementers Forum has responded with a letter saying that Apple was within its rights to use the vendor ID code to block Palm. And it has explicitly warned Palm not to update its software to use the vendor ID ploy again.

The entertaining cat-and-mouse game between Apple and Palm may not be over yet: Palm has said that it is 'reviewing' the letter. Apple as usual has offered no comment. Watch this space...