The U.S. Department of Justice has sharply criticized Apple's last-minute request for documents from Samsung Korea in its antitrust lawsuit, calling the move a waste of time due to poor timing. Apple turned to the Hague Convention in early April to demand evidence from Samsung's South Korean headquarters, but the DOJ argues this should have been done months earlier during the discovery phase.

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The DOJ sued Apple in March 2024, alleging the company stifles competition through proprietary hardware and software. After appeals and dismissal attempts, the case entered discovery in June 2025. Three-quarters of a year into this phase, Apple suddenly demanded documents from Samsung Korea using the Hague Evidence Convention, prompting the DOJ's rebuke. The government filing with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey claims Apple has known about Samsung's potential role since the lawsuit's inception.

Apple waited six months after discovery began to subpoena Samsung Electronics America, then another eight weeks before requesting documents from Samsung Korea. The DOJ argues Apple should have been aware of these discovery requirements from previous antitrust cases. While the court granted an extension until January 2027, the DOJ doubts this gives enough time for the convention process to complete, potentially jeopardizing Apple's evidence timeline.