Several major technology companies are pushing back against subpoenas issued by Apple and the Department of Justice in their ongoing antitrust battle. 9to5Mac reports that multiple letters submitted to the court reveal growing disagreements over the scope of the requests, the information demanded, and whether specific documents must be produced.
Key takeaways
- Apple and the DOJ have issued numerous third-party subpoenas as part of their ongoing legal dispute.
- Epic Games, Samsung, Oura, Garmin, and Roblox are among the companies objecting to various document requests.
- Several firms requested until November 11 to continue negotiations and avoid further court intervention.
- Apple is also locked in a separate dispute involving document requests directed at 14 federal agencies.
What is the ongoing Apple antitrust battle?
In March 2024, the Department of Justice alongside 15 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit accusing Apple of restricting competition, limiting interoperability, and making device switching harder. Apple denies these claims. Both sides are now using discovery to exchange relevant evidence, issuing subpoenas to third-party firms to establish how Apple policies affect market competition.
Disputes over Apple subpoenas and data requests
Epic Games argues that Apple requests for files from three past lawsuits and extensive searches of internal executive records are disproportionately burdensome. However, Epic offered to provide Fortnite user data, revenue figures, and records regarding the Core Technology Fee. Samsung agreed to search documents belonging to two executives, yielding nearly 900,000 files, but Apple wants to expand searches to six additional executives and obtain deposition transcripts from the Google antitrust lawsuit.
Oura is pushing back against Apple over reimbursement for reviewing 32,000 additional documents and withholding trade secrets. Garmin raised similar concerns regarding confidential financial information. Roblox, which received a subpoena from the DOJ and plaintiff states rather than Apple, objects to requests about its relationship with Apple and App Store policies. Meanwhile, Playco is resisting Apple demands for documents concerning lobbying activities, citing First Amendment rights.
Why this case matters next
The outcome of these discovery disputes directly impacts how both the government and Apple build their cases around market competition and app store guidelines. Several firms have asked for extra time to negotiate before formal impasses are declared. At the same time, a separate fight continues over Apple efforts to obtain documents from 14 federal agencies, keeping the pretrial process tangled in court appeals.
Frequently asked questions
The Department of Justice and 15 states, plus the District of Columbia, filed the lawsuit against Apple in March 2024.
Apple has subpoenaed Epic Games, Samsung Electronics America, Meta, Oura, Garmin, Playco, Ultrahuman, PayPal, Match Group, and the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
Epic Games argues that requests for files from three previous lawsuits and internal searches of three senior executives are disproportionately burdensome.
Samsung has agreed to search documents belonging to two executives, which yielded nearly 900,000 documents matching agreed-upon search terms.
Roblox was subpoenaed by the DOJ and plaintiff states to provide information about its relationship with Apple and how App Store policies are applied.
Based on reporting by 9to5Mac. Read the original article
