Yes -- it is a common rookie mistake to confuse the specification with the claims. The claims define the invention and the scope of the patent; the specificati

Yes -- it is a common rookie mistake to confuse the specification with the claims. The claims define the invention and the scope of the patent; the specification helps interpret the claims. Saying this, I have no opinion on whether Palm might be infringing this patent or not. From Palm's public statements--that they are just practicing the prior art, and multitouch has been around for decades--they are probably going to argue Apple's patent claims are invalid.