Answer – Expected timeline for the legal proceedings
Elon Musk’s statement that he will take “immediate” legal action means the complaint will be filed in the next few days, triggering the standard antitrust‑case schedule. In U.S. federal courts, the first round of pleadings (complaint and service of process) typically occurs within 1‑2 weeks of filing. After the defendant—Apple—receives the complaint, the court will set a “case‑management conference” (often called a “Moot”) within 30‑45 days to outline a discovery timetable and set a preliminary schedule.
From there, the discovery phase (exchange of documents, interrogatories, depositions) usually runs 6‑9 months for high‑profile tech antitrust suits. Motions to dismiss or for summary judgment are then filed, and a pre‑trial conference is scheduled roughly 12‑18 months after the complaint. If the case proceeds to trial, a full bench trial can add another 6‑12 months. In total, analysts expect the initial resolution of key motions and a possible settlement window to emerge in the 12‑18 month horizon, with a full trial not likely before 24‑30 months from filing.
Trading implications – The “immediate” filing will likely spark short‑term volatility in AAPL as investors price in the risk of a costly antitrust battle and potential injunctions. However, because the substantive legal process stretches over a year‑plus, the market will mainly digest the news in the near term, with any material price impact contingent on the outcome of early motions (e.g., a dismissal) or a settlement announcement within the 12‑month window. Traders can consider a tight‑‑range, short‑position on AAPL if the stock spikes on the news, while keeping a long‑term, risk‑adjusted exposure if the broader fundamentals of Apple remain intact.