"Don't rip off our IP," warns Apple (glaring at Palm)

Acting CEO Tim Cook didn't say the word "Palm" (or "Pre") once during Apple's quarterly earnings call Wednesday, but after he beat his chest and said "we're going to go after anybody" who "rip[s] off our IP," observers had little trouble filling in the blanks.

The background: Just a couple of weeks ago, Palm wowed CES with the Pre, its long-awaited, next-generation smartphone that boasts a gorgeous touch interface and "multitouch" capabilities—that is, a display that can track two fingers at once, allowing for gestures such as "pinching" to zoom Web pages.

Hmmm, sounds kinda like the iPhone, right? Well, as PC Magazine notes, Apple has actually filed several patents for "gesture"-based multitouch interfaces, claiming them as its own intellectual property ("IP"). And I'm sure Apple noticed that the Pre was introduced by a certain Jon Rubenstein, the former Apple exec behind the iMac and the iPod.

So naturally, the question came up during Apple's quarterly conference call yesterday, with one analyst (this, again, from PC Magazine's report) noting: "The Palm device almost seems to directly emulate the touch interface that you have innovated."

Cook's answer?

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're ready to suit up and go against anyone. However, we will not stand for having our IP ripped off and we'll use whatever weapons we have at our disposal. I don't know that I can be more clear than that."

Yep, I'm reading you loud and clear, Tim—although I'm not exactly getting the warm fuzzies here. In fact, I'm picturing Gordon Gekko in his corner office, barking "I'm gonna eat your lunch for you!" at hapless opponents.

Again: Tim Cook never said "Palm," he never said "Pre," and he never said "multitouch." But when you say "We like competition, as long as they don't rip off our IP, and if they do, we're going to go after anybody that does," well … that sure sounds like a shot across Palm's bow.

Of course, it all comes down to how you feel about patent law. Should Apple be allowed to "own" the concept of, say, a touch display that can track two fingers at once, even if a company (like Palm) uses its own method to do it?

Personally, I can't wait for the showdown between the iPhone and the Palm Pre—but I'd rather see it decided in the marketplace, not a courtroom.

Thoughts? Don't be shy.

Related:
Will Apple Sue Palm Over the Pre? [PC Magazine]