Palm Smacked Down By USB-IF Over iTunes SpatPalm Smacked Down By USB-IF Over iTunes Spat

An industry organization, the USB Implementers Forum, has flipped the tables on Palm after the company sought relief from the on-again/off-again ability to sync the Palm Pre with iTunes. Rather than agree with Palm's point of view, the USB-IF has scolded it, saying Apple has a right to protect its software.The story goes like this. When the Pre was first released, one of the features that Palm was proud to show off was its ability to sync seamlessly with Apple's iTunes software. It did this by tricking iTunes into believing that the Pre was instead an Apple iPod. After a few weeks, Apple issued an update to iTunes, breaking the Pre's ability to sync with iTunes. And thus the game of cat and mouse began.

SInce then, Palm has fixed the Pre's ability to sync with iTunes. Palm did this by giving iTunes a faked hardware vendor code when connected to a USB port. Apple has again updated iTunes to break the Pre's syncing ability.

Rather than continue updating the Pre's software, Palm took its fight to the USB Implementers Forum. Palm's argument was that Apple was unfairly using the vendor codes to block Palm's hardware. After examining the issue, the USB-IF disagrees.

The Associated Press reports that the USB-IF sent both companies letters. In those letters, the group warned Palm against updating is software further, as it would consider that a violation of the USB-IF rules regarding vendor codes. The company wants a formal response from Palm, which had previously declared that it was going to update the Pre's software to restore iTunes syncing capabilities.

Long story short, seeking retribution, Palm gets slapped on the wrist instead.

How will Palm respond?