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Palm recently brought their ongoing dispute with Apple over iTunes syncing to a higher authority, namely into the court of the USB-IF, the standards board that regulates USB usage and certification…however, they didn’t get the result they were expecting.

Part of the USB standard, the VID (Vendor ID) that helps identify a device when you plug it into a USB port, is the key bit of information that governs if iTunes reads your Pre as an Apple product that can sync with iTunes, or as a nasty WebOS interloper.

The influential and powerful USB-IF stated that they disagreed with Palm’s opening serve that making iTunes require Apple’s VID in order to sync was misusing the standard. They then went a good deal farther as the game continued…John Paczkowski at Digital Daily has seen the confidential letter USB-IF sent to both Palm and Apple, and it ain’t pretty for the Boys from Sunnyvale.

The spicy part of the response to Palm reads as follows…

… Your letter also states that:

“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.”

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.

Deuce. Double Deuce.

Stating that Palm would use Apple’s VID was a stupid threat to make, and it was even stupider to make it in writing. All tech vendors need the support and certification of standards organizations like the USB-IF in order to ensure their products can integrate with all other products and computers across the spectrum. Palm simply can’t risk the lasting antipathy of the USB-IF and will have to give ground on this point at the very least. Beyond that, the USB-IF is also in the right. Palm agreed to the same rules that Apple and all over tech companies did. If they flout those rules now and the USB-IF lets them get away with it, the standard will not be worth much and any number of devices will begin to try to masquerade as things they aren’t. Chaos, I tell you…CHAOS. The USB-IF had to slap Palm down on this issue and Palm has no choice but to take it and smile.

Expect Palm to abandon the iTunes sync issue soon over this issue and begin offering other music syncing solutions while trying to save face. Expect Steve Jobs to gloat.

Game-Set-Match Apple.