USB Standards Group Rules Against Palm

From Palm’s weeks-ago letter to the USB-IF asking for a ruling against Apple in the iTunes/WebOS cat-and-mouse game:

Palm will shortly issue an update of its WebOS operating system that uses Apple’s Vendor ID number for the sole purpose of restoring the Palm media sync functionality.

From the USB-IF’s response, after the part where they dismissed Palm’s argument that Apple was in the wrong:

I attach for your information the USB-IF’s adopted and published policy regarding Vendor Identification Numbers (VIDs). Under the Policy, Palm may only use the single Vendor ID issued to Palm for Palm’s usage. Usage of any other company’s Vendor ID is specifically precluded. Palm’s expressed intent to use Apple’s VID appears to violate the attached policy.

Please clarify Palm’s intent and respond to this potential violation within seven days.

★ Wednesday, 23 September 2009