Apple may file a lawsuit against rival smartphone maker Palm for replicating the iPhone's multi-touch interface, the supposedly patented technology introduced by Apple in 2007. The iPhone-maker is concerned that Palm Pre's multi-touch screen can just like the iPhone be controlled using a two-fingered pinch.
The patent - applied for by Apple, to cover the technology that multi-touch screens make use of - if granted, would necessitate other phone makers to get the technology licensed from Apple.
While the Apple CEO Steve Jobs made it clear the technology was patented, the comments of the chief operating officer, Tim Cook, were apparently directed at Palm. During the course of discussing the financial results of the company, Cook said: "We like competition. As long as they don't rip off our intellectual property - IP - and if they do, we're going to go after anybody that does."
Though Cook refused to divulge the name of the company he was hinting at, he said that his "general statement" about competition implies that it is essential to lead every company towards betterment. He also added that Apple was "ready to suit up and go against anyone."
Without any further elaboration, Cook said that the company would use all the possible weapons that it has at its disposal, adding, "I don't know that I can be any more clear than that!"
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Cook's response
After reading Cook's response, I don't think they will sue. During the analyst conference call, he was asked about "a number of competitors" and said that in his opinion, Apple can sustain its leadership because the company "approached this business as a software platform business," not "only from a hardware point of view." He concluded by saying: "We like competition. As long as they don’t rip off our IP." And who wouldn't agree with that. When asked if he was referring to Palm, he said no, it was "a general statement." In all, Apple feels confident, unless its competitors start to rip off its IP. Note that Apple's intellectual property is not limited to multi-touch. And now every blog is talking about how "Apple may file a lawsuit against rival smartphone maker Palm for replicating the iPhone's multi-touch interface."
Wow! Not so fast.