Apple's DOJ Antitrust Case Drags Samsung, Epic, Roblox Into Subpoena Brawl

The Justice Department's antitrust case against Apple is spiraling into a messy discovery battle. Companies hit with subpoenas are refusing to hand over everything prosecutors and Apple want, according to 9to5Mac. Several have asked for until Nov. 11 to keep negotiating before telling the court that talks have hit an impasse.

Samsung is already feeling the squeeze. The company agreed to search documents from two executives, producing nearly 900,000 records that matched the criteria. Now Apple wants to expand that to six more executives, including current and former leaders of Samsung's US operations. Apple also wants transcripts from Samsung execs who testified in the DOJ's separate antitrust case against Google. And there's a fight over whether Samsung's US subsidiary must turn over records controlled by its South Korean parent.

Epic Games, a longtime Apple legal nemesis, is pushing back on demands for documents from three earlier lawsuits: its US and Australian cases against Apple and its US case against Google. Apple is seeking extensive searches of internal records tied to three senior Epic executives, including the CEO. Epic calls the demands an excessive burden. Still, it has offered selected records, including Fortnite revenue and user info, agreements with Google and Samsung, and documents about Apple's Core Technology Fee.

Wearable makers are tangled in the fight too. Oura is disputing whether Apple should cover the cost of reviewing more than 32,000 additional documents. The smart-ring maker also wants to redact or withhold trade secrets. Garmin has raised similar concerns about requests for confidential financial information and business strategy documents. These disputes matter because iPhone interoperability with competing wearables is a core issue in the government's antitrust allegations.

Roblox is challenging requests from the DOJ and participating states. Government lawyers want records on Roblox's commercial relationship with Apple and how App Store policies apply to its platform. Playco, a Japan-based company that makes games playable without conventional downloads, is resisting Apple's demands for documents about its lobbying and advocacy efforts to influence App Store policies. Playco argues that forcing disclosure would violate its First Amendment rights, citing a 2021 court decision involving Match Group.

The DOJ, joined by 15 states and the District of Columbia, sued Apple in March 2024. The government claims Apple unlawfully controls the smartphone market through restrictions that limit competition, hinder rival technologies and discourage consumers from switching. Apple denies wrongdoing and is defending its business practices. Reuters reported in July, citing Bloomberg News, that Apple and the DOJ had preliminary settlement talks, though no deal was assured. Apple is also seeking documents from 14 federal agencies; a court-appointed special master has twice backed Apple, but the order is on hold while the court considers a government appeal.