Apple's interim CEO Tim Cook threatened, during an earnings conference call, anyone who "rips off our IP (Intellectual Property)". Palm, the manufacturer of the upcoming Pre, understood this warning, and commented that ""If [we are] faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves".

The threat by the temporary executive of the iPhone-maker is due, of course, to the multi-touch patent, which was only approved recently. US Patent Office Patent No 7479949, the patent in question, credits the "invention" to Steve Jobs, and other Apple employees.

The Palm Pre uses similar multi-touch technology to Apple's one, and in logistic terms, it is too late to notice the mistake and back out from production. In fact, it is likely for Palm to have noticed that Apple had this patent pending, but decided to continue its quest for the foolish, which might result in disaster for the company who is endeavouring to avoid financial disaster.

It is likely for Apple to press for a lawsuit soon after Palm Pre shipping begins, and the simplest way of solving the issue would be turning off, or removing the technology, or as Venture Beat suggests, the Cupertino-based giant could simply buy Palm.