Extension Granted for Enforcement of Permanent Injunction in Epic vs. Google Case

Date: October 20, 2025

In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Google, U.S. District Court Judge James Donato has approved a motion to delay the enforcement of the permanent injunction. The new deadline for certain provisions to take effect has been extended from October 22, 2025, to October 29, 2025.

Details of the Order

Judge Donato’s decision, documented under MDL Dkt. No. 1110, was issued following a joint request from both parties involved in the case. The previous deadline for provisions outlined in MDL Dkt No. 1017 is now vacated and rescheduled to the extended date. This ruling was officially signed by Judge Donato earlier today.

Background on the Case

The context for this delay is particularly intriguing, especially as it comes after Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney characterized October 22 as a pivotal date for developers. He indicated that on this day, developers would be legally allowed to direct U.S. Google Play users to make out-of-app payments without incurring additional fees or experiencing user interface complications, akin to the existing framework for Apple App Store users.

However, as of now, public documents submitted by both Google and Epic do not clarify the motives behind the request for the extension or Epic’s concurrence with it.

Anticipated Changes Post-Delay

With the revised date set for October 29, 2025, Google’s messaging regarding its app distribution policies is expected to evolve. Previously, Google had stated to The Verge that it would adhere to its legal obligations while simultaneously pursuing an appeal. This suggests that by the new deadline, Google may update its guidelines that currently enforce the requirement for developers to use Google Play Billing for app distribution.

Future Uncertainties

It is crucial to note that if the Supreme Court intervenes and grants a stay before the revised deadline, the enforcement changes may be subject to further modifications. Google has indicated plans to file its appeal with the Supreme Court by October 27, leaving the situation fluid as both parties navigate their next steps.

As developments unfold, this case continues to attract significant attention from the tech industry, affecting app developers and online payment frameworks at large.