So the battle between Apple and Palm is taking a wrong turn – at least for those Pre owners who use iTunes – as you all know, the game of cat and mouse is been going on since the launch of the Palm Pre. There even was a complaint filed by Palm with the USB Implementers Forum, which is the industry group that oversees the universal serial bus standard.

Palm claims Apple is restraining trade, because is misusing the standards put in place to foster interoperability between computers and devices using a USB connection. But in a letter submitted to Apple and Palm, the group dismissed Palm’s claim. Not only that, but the group took issue with Palm’s alleged use of Apple’s vendor identification number, which it says violates USB-IF policy.

Palm indicated in its complaint that it plans to restore the iTunes sync feature with the Pre again. But the letter from the group (USB-IF) also warned that if Palm updates the Pre’s software to include Apple’s vendor code, it would violate the group’s rules. Palm spokesman Derick Mains said the company contacted the USB group because it believes consumers should be able to decide how they use media they own that is not subject to copy-protection restrictions. He said Palm is reviewing the letter and will respond if it thinks it is appropriate.

[Via AP]