The DOJ has won a temporary pause on an order requiring it to respond to Apple’s requests for documents from 14 federal agencies, while the government appeals the ruling in its ongoing antitrust case against the company. A few weeks ago, Special Master Judge Jose Linares sided with Apple in its effort to obtain documents from agencies including the CIA, FBI, NSA, NASA, and Department of Defense, arguing the records could support Apple’s case that challenged practices are legitimate security safeguards. After Linares rejected the DOJ’s request for reconsideration, the government appealed to District Judge Julien Neals and asked for a stay of the discovery order.

Judge Linares granted the pause, agreeing that requiring the 14 agencies to undertake extensive work would be unfair if Neals ultimately reverses his ruling. He noted the case remains in early discovery phases and that other discovery can continue. Apple will now have a chance to respond to the appeal, after which the DOJ has seven days to file a reply before Judge Neals decides whether to uphold or reverse the original order.