Apple has secured a court order allowing it to invoke the Hague Convention to compel Samsung’s South Korean parent to produce documents for the DOJ antitrust case. The move follows Samsung America’s refusal to turn over data stored in Seoul, which the company argued lay outside U.S. jurisdiction. Judges found the request narrowly tailored and granted it in a high‑stakes legal battle.

U.S. prosecutors contend Apple’s ecosystem blocks rivals like Samsung from offering compatible accessories, a claim now entering the evidentiary phase of a trial that began in March 2024. While the DOJ argued Apple delayed its filing, the U.S. district court rejected that objection, noting the request targets only information residing in Samsung’s Korean headquarters. Samsung may still contest the demand in Seoul.

The South Korean court will now decide whether to enforce the Letter of Request, a step that could force Samsung to disclose internal communications and supply‑chain data. Failure to comply could trigger sanctions, but the government could also narrow the scope or refuse outright. Either outcome adds pressure to a case expected to linger for years.