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> Discovery orders such as these typically cannot be appealed before final judgment is issued. However, contempt-of-court sanctions for violating a discovery order can be appealed. The request for a so-called “friendly” contempt-of-court order is designed to allow ShotSpotter to effectively appeal the discovery order by appealing the contempt order.

Sounds strategic

My understanding is after being found in contempt you then try to appeal that. Disclaimer: Definitely not a lawyer by any definition.

Pardon my ignorance, but couldn't the court just order the police to raid the company and forcefully retrieve the data?

The cops can only raid if there is probable cause of a crime, rather than a civil tort. But in principle, the person refusing to comply with the discovery order can be locked up in jail until the info is forthcoming. I don't think that is supposed to happen in this case.