Google and Epic CEO to Seal Deal with Multi-Year Non-Disparagement Clause

Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, has signed away its right to criticize Google until 2032 under a binding term sheet for its settlement with the search giant. The agreement comes after Epic’s high-profile battle against Google over app store fees and user tracking. In order to resolve the dispute, the parties agreed to a mutually beneficial deal that will allow Epic Games to keep its popular title Fortnite available on the Google Play Store. However, as part of the settlement, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been forced to agree to refrain from making negative comments about Google for the next decade. The non-disparagement clause is a unusual move by Google, but it appears to be a calculated risk in exchange for allowing Epic Games to keep its Android app on the market. The deal marks a significant turning point in the ongoing struggle between tech giants and content creators over issues of revenue sharing and user data.