Palm ramps up fight with Apple over iTunes

Mobile handset manufacturer Palm has turned up the heat on its latest spat with Apple over the ability to sync its Pre device with iTunes software, emulating a feature seen on iPods.

The company has filed a complaint with the U.S.B. Implementers Forum, a group established by tech companies which develop the USB technology.

The complaint claims that Apple is restraining trade. Palm marketed its Pre device with the ability to “sync” with iTunes, but Apple responded by blocking the capability of third-party devices to sync with the software in an update.

“There isn’t much precedent for this case,” RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky told the New York Times.

“It’s breaking new ground. In my mind, ultimately the users are the arbiters in the outcome of these situations.”

The Forum has not given any comment on when or if it will respond to the complaint filed by Palm, which maintains its actions are acceptable because it clearly identifies the advice as a Palm gadget, not an iPod.