Hasta La Gadget!

When Apple’s Tim Cook called out competition for “ripping off” its IP, people largely assumed the company’s temporary CEO was talking directly to Palm, with regards to its much buzzed about Pre.

“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,” Cook told the press. “We will not stand for having our IP ripped off and we’ll use whatever weapons we have at our disposal [to make sure that doesn’t happen]. I don’t know that I can be more clear than that.”

Palm, for its part, doesn’t seem to be losing any sleep over Cook’s less than subtle assessment. “Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio, and we have long been recognized for our fundamental patents in the mobile space,” Palm spokesperson Lynn Fox told All Things D. “If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves.”