If you read the quote Tom posted you'll see they weren't referring specifically to the Pre in the initial comment. The press person specifically mentioned "Andoid" and "Pre" but Apple didn't.

There are other "competitors" coming out from the likes of Meizu, LG, Samsung, Sony, etc. With software from Google and Microsoft to name only two. The comment was quite broad and appropriate because a lot of what's been seen is not simply inspired by the iPhone, but often a plain rip-off. With Meizu going so far as using Apple icons early on. Did anyone else see the iPod rip-off "ePhone" by some other company?

The second "question" was an attempt to goad Apple into commenting on the Pre, but they didn't bite.

Now, the whole theme of IP protection could have been topical due to the comments that Ed Colligan has been making, taking every opportunity to pronounce their product is better than the iPhone while the media has been paying a lot of attention at product comparisons and elements that the Pre might be lifting from the iPhone.

Palm has never had a significant share of a large market. They've been leaders (big fish) in a small market (small pond), but the landscape for this type of product has changed in a big way. I think different people at Apple are paying close attention to everything that's coming out from all players. But to suggest that the top brass at Apple are worried about the Pre specifically is likely as far from the truth as one can get.

The Pre is like a nice shiny new PMP from Creative. The iPhone is like.. The iPod.