Epic Games has been involved in intense legal battles with both Apple and Google for years now, though last week, it seemed like this era of Epic's battles with Google was coming to an end. The two sides reached a settlement last week that seemed to please everyone involved, and all that was left was for the presiding judge, Judge James Donato, to slap his stamp of approval on the deal.
In the proposed settlement, the Android platform would become more open, and Google would lower its service fees for Google Play. Epic Games chief executive officer, Tim Sweeney, called the settlement "a comprehensive solution" to the dispute and would have definitively concluded the legal battle between the two.
Except Judge James Donato is not exactly convinced that he can approve this settlement, and has a few lingering concerns, including a concern around why Epic and Google, after years of legal vitriol back and forth, "are suddenly BFFs."
Reported by 80 Level, Judge Donato's concern, besides the fact that the two juggernaut companies suddenly seem like best friends, is that the proposed settlement does not reach the legal threshold needed for Judge Donato to revise a court ruling.
"The only changed circumstance that I can see right now is Epic and Google - two mortal enemies who pounded each other relentlessly in this courtroom for many years - are suddenly BFFs," said Donato, per 80 Level.
Another hearing has been scheduled for sometime between December 2025 and January 2026, allowing Judge Donato time to review the proposed settlement and its potential implications, should he approve it as currently proposed.
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