AfterDawn: News

Apple to sue Palm?

When Apple introduced its multi-touch user interface on the iPhone in 2007, CEO Steve Jobs made it very clear that the technology was patented.

It appears a rival smartphone maker, Palm, has finally replicated the multi-touch interface, and comments from Apple are suggesting a lawsuit is coming.



COO Tim Cook said: "We like competition as long as they don't rip off our IP (intellectual property).And if they do, we're going to go after anybody that does."

"I don't want to talk about any specific company. I'm just making a general statement that we think competition is good. It makes us all better. And we are ready to suit up and go against anyone. However, we will not stand for having our IP ripped off. And we will use whatever weapons that we have at our disposal. I don't know that I can be any more clear than that."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Jan 2009 21:21

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• 11 comments

• Morreale

  COO Tim Cook, a man on a mission.

  25.1.2009 21:42 #1

• ps2racer

  I think Apple is just worried that Palm is going to outdo them. I don't think they should have a patented on this anyway. If they have a patented on something like this, they pretty much have a monopoly on the technology. With other companies developing this technology they can make it better and improve on it. I can almost bet you that the Palm Pre will be faster and work smoother than the iPhone.

  25.1.2009 21:56 #2

• DXR88

  Quote:We like competition as long as they don't rip off our IP (intellectual property).And if they do, we're going to go after anybody that does." well looks like apple's doing just fine without you Steve, you make every ip suer proud.

  25.1.2009 23:05 #3

• ripxrush

  Originally posted by ps2racer: I think Apple is just worried that Palm is going to outdo them. I don't think they should have a patented on this anyway. If they have a patented on something like this, they pretty much have a monopoly on the technology. With other companies developing this technology they can make it better and improve on it. I can almost bet you that the Palm Pre will be faster and work smoother than the iPhone.Ouch! Well i do hope so! the iPhone never really impressed me much! I have been a palm fan starting with treo605, now have a centro had a Windows based in there for 3 months till it broke! (i am hard on phones) my wife has a treo we just love them! The iPhone to me was just a "prettier" interface for what my palm can do for 1/4 or less the cost! (centros going for $50-250 depending on contract & renewals)
  
  My contract expires end of 09 & i plan on getting the PRE then! it wont be new but it wont be an apple (i dont hate apple i do have an ipod) & prices will be less i have been one to buy last years tech for half the price guy!

  26.1.2009 03:51 #4

• plazma247

  I dont really see why they got awarded the patent when multi touch had been around earlier in things like the microsoft coffee table and is part of windows 7.

  26.1.2009 07:32 #5

• ZippyDSM

  So you can patent a broad idea now?

  26.1.2009 13:18 #6

• DXR88

  united states patent office: Welcome to the united states patent office, would you like to stifle market competition by patenting your product with us?
  
  Apple: would we ever.

  26.1.2009 19:45 #7

• Unfocused

  Quote:We like competition as long as they don't rip off our IP (intellectual property).And if they do, we're going to go after anybody that does.This from the company that had to pay Creative because they ripped off their IP when they created the iPod.

  26.1.2009 20:05 #8

• plazma247

  Thats not forgetting that they used to have to lease the name Apple from the Beatles Apple Corp.
  
  http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20030911/1552216.shtml

  27.1.2009 05:22 #9

• sailow

  Quote:we will use whatever weapons that we have at our disposalI smell diePods being launched.

  28.1.2009 09:00 #10

• pmshah

  I would not be surprised if someone patented coitus and tried to collect from the rest of the world !!!!

  1.2.2009 20:52 #11