Apple Moves to Compel Jon Prosser's Cooperation in iOS 26 Trade Secrets Lawsuit

Apple is moving to compel tech analyst Jon Prosser to cooperate with discovery requests in its ongoing trade secrets lawsuit. According to a joint status report filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Apple intends to file a Motion for an Order to Show Cause in the Northern District of Ohio to force Prosser to respond to outstanding subpoenas.



The filing indicates that although Apple served Prosser with document and deposition subpoenas on February 3, he has failed to provide a full response. While Prosser has handed over some materials, Apple states that he has not fully responded to certain requests and has not responded at all to others. The company has extended his deadlines multiple times but says it still lacks the information needed to understand how Prosser and co-defendant Michael Ramacciotti obtained confidential data.


Apple originally filed the lawsuit in July 2025, alleging that the defendants participated in a scheme to access a development iPhone belonging to a former Apple engineer. The device contained an early version of what was then called iOS 19, which Apple eventually unveiled at WWDC 2025 as iOS 26. Prosser is accused of using recorded FaceTime calls to create leak videos that showcased the Liquid Glass design language months before the software was ready for the public.

Prosser, who had a default entered against him in October 2025 for failing to respond to the initial complaint, has indicated he is now retaining counsel and plans to move the court to set aside that default. While Prosser has provided some responsive materials during this period, Apple maintains that additional materials exist and that court intervention is needed to secure full compliance.

The legal posture of Michael Ramacciotti remains significantly different from Prosser's. The report notes that Ramacciotti has continued to cooperate with Apple's investigation. He recently provided an additional device for forensic review and has agreed to supplement his previous interrogatory responses. He has also offered to sit for a follow-up deposition once Apple completes its third-party discovery.

Apple is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with an injunction to prevent the defendants from further disseminating trade secrets. The parties are expected to file a further status update with the court on June 10, 2026.