Why won't this myth die? Apple does not own multitouch. The Palm Pre and several other devices have it in the US already.
It's not a myth. Go check out the number of patents PENDING. Here's the confusion though: Apple can't patent gestures like swiping or pinching. It's like saying I want to patent "pointing" or "smiling." Apple can't do that. However, what they CAN do is patent a gesture that is linked to a function on a particular environment; for example, they can patent the gesture "pinching" for the purpose of "zooming in/out" on the platform "smartphones." In that way, Apple has a 380+ page patent on these kinds of gestures for "pinch zoom," various "swiping" motions, etc.
Multi-touch wasn't developed by Apple and thus, they are not patenting "multi-touch." This technology was developed a while before Apple implemented it in their iPhone technology. However, just because other devices implement various usages of MT, doesn't mean they aren't liable. Nokia is in the midst of a lawsuit against Apple for multiple IP infringements, but they didn't litigate until TWO YEARS after Apple sold millions of units. Remember, their disbursement from litigation will be based on how many units Apple sold with the technology.
As it stands, the patents are pending, so there is a possibility that they could be denied, just as likely as they could be approved. That being said, if they WERE approved, I would highly DOUBT that Apple would go after Palm as Apple has used a number of Palm's technologies into their iPhone. HTC on the other hand, might be fair game, but at this point, they haven't moved a lot of devices to pop up as a threat to Apple's radar. That being said, a juggernaut like the DROID has turned out to be (selling 800K units, likely 1M by the end of Q4) might be a lucrative target for Apple.
This may have factored into VZW, Google and Motorola's decision not to include pinch zoom and others of Apple's IP. If the DROID is a hit, then if and when the patents get approved, the DROID and all its developers are in the clear. But it isn't a myth. The patent is public domain. Read it for yourself.