Opinions and documents
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
DANY MERCADO, as Legal Guardian of, : CIVIL ACTION
S.S.M., a minor, :
:
Plaintiff, :
:
v. :
: NO. 25-5925
ROBLOX CORPORATION, EPIC GAMES, :
INC., MICROSOFT CORPORATION, and :
MOJANG AB, :
:
Defendants. :
Perez, J. September 25, 2026
MEMORANDUM
This case arises from minor S.S.M.’s use of and resulting addiction to video games created
by Defendants Epic Games, Inc. (“Epic”), Roblox Corporation (“Roblox”), and Mojang AB
(“Mojang”), all of which may be played on Defendant Microsoft Corporation’s (“Microsoft”)
Xbox gaming system. Players cannot play these games without first creating accounts and
accepting Defendants’ user agreements. Those user agreements all contain arbitration provisions.
Before the Court is Epic’s motion to compel arbitration, which Epic supports with a declaration
from its director of product management. Plaintiff has filed fourteen objections to the declaration
and supporting exhibits. The Court sustains a number of the objections and strikes certain
paragraphs and exhibits, including those purporting to show how the Fortnite End User License
Agreement (EULA) is shown on the user’s screen when requiring acceptance and business records
for which an inadequate foundation was laid.
For an electronic agreement to be enforceable, the consumer must have adequate notice of
the agreement, meaning the agreement must be conspicuous. Without knowing how the EULA was
presented to the consumer on the computer or console screen at the relevant time, the Court cannot
determine whether the creators or users of S.S.M.’s Epic accounts were on notice of the EULA.
Epic’s motion must, therefore, be denied at this stage. Moreover, even if Epic’s systems provided
adequate notice, minors are generally considered incompetent to contract, so the law allows them
to disaffirm agreements they entered. S.S.M. disaffirmed the EULA on June 3, 2026, and,
specifically, its provision that would otherwise require an arbitrator to decide the EULA’s
enforceability. Epic has produced no evidence showing this disaffirmance was ineffective. For
these reasons and the reasons discussed more fully herein, Epic’s motion to compel S.S.M. to
arbitrate their claims is denied.
I. Background
Epic developed, markets, and sells the video game Fortnite, which is available to play on
Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and personal computers and mobile devices.
Compl. ¶ 18, ECF No. 1; Saunders Decl., ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 2, 4. Plaintiff S.S.M. began playing
video games at approximately six years old and began playing Fortnite at age 9. ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 13,
282. Now a teenager, S.S.M. alleges they are addicted to video games because of their use of
Defendants’ games, including Fortnite. Id. ¶ 280. This addiction has caused S.S.M. to spend the
majority of their time outside of school playing video games and has caused a decline in S.S.M.’s
academic performance and diminishing social interactions. Id. ¶¶ 290–92. S.S.M. suffers from
severe withdrawal symptoms if anyone attempts to remove them from video games. Id. ¶ 294.
On October 15, 2025, S.S.M. brought this lawsuit, raising claims of, inter alia, strict
product liability, negligence, and fraud against each Defendant. On December 3, 2025, the parties
entered a stipulation setting a deadline for all Defendants to file motions to compel arbitration by
February 27, 2026. ECF No. 32. The Court approved the stipulation on the same day. ECF No. 34.
Epic timely moved to compel S.S.M. to arbitrate their claims against Epic. ECF No. 51 (Epic’s
Motion). Plaintiff filed an opposition and objected to the Declaration of David Saunders and
exhibits attached thereto. The motion and objections have been fully briefed and are ripe for
review.
Before playing Fortnite, players must create an Epic account. Saunders Decl., ECF No. 51-
2 ¶¶ 32–33. To set up an Epic account, players must enter their date of birth, their country, email
address, and first and last names, and then choose a unique display name and password. ECF No.
51-2 ¶¶ 9, 23–24. Before a player may submit the information and complete the account creation
process, they must check a box indicating they have agreed to Epic’s terms of service and click
“Continue.”1 Id. ¶¶ 10–11.
After creating an Epic Games account and downloading the Fortnite software, players must
log into their account using their unique username and password and accept the EULA. Id. ¶¶ 32–
34.2 Players can click “accept” or “decline,” but they cannot continue to play Fortnite without
accepting the EULA’s terms. Id. ¶¶ 33–34.
The first page of the EULA states:
You and Epic agree to resolve disputes between us in individual arbitration (not in
court). We believe the alternative dispute-resolution process of arbitration will
resolve any dispute fairly and more quickly and efficiently than formal court
litigation. Section 12 explains the process in detail. We’ve put this up front (and in
caps) because it’s important:
THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A BINDING, INDIVIDUAL
ARBITRATION AND CLASS-ACTION WAIVER PROVISION. IF YOU
ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT, YOU AND EPIC AGREE TO RESOLVE
DISPUTES IN BINDING, INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION AND GIVE UP
THE RIGHT TO GO TO COURT . . . .
ECF No. 51-16 at 2 (version of EULA effective when Accounts #2, 3, and 4 were created); ECF
No. 51-2 ¶¶ 61, 70, 73. Then, beginning on page 10 at Section 12, the EULA provides more detail,
1 Epic’s terms of service do not form the basis of the motion to compel arbitration.
2 Effective November 28, 2025, players have been required to agree to Epic’s Terms of Service instead, but there is no
evidence those terms were accepted by a user of the S.S.M. Epic accounts. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 32.
including that the parties agree to submit all disputes to arbitration, including those related to “the
validity, enforceability, or scope of this Binding Individual Arbitration section.” EULA §§ 12.3–
12.3.1, ECF No. 51-16 at 11; ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 38, 61, 70, 73. If players want to play Fortnite but
not be bound to arbitrate, the EULA allows a time-limited right to opt out of the arbitration clause.
ECF No. 51-16 at 2 (“You have a time-limited right to opt out of this waiver.” (emphasis
removed)); Id. at 14 § 12.6 (describing procedure to opt out of arbitration provision, requiring user
to send written notice to Epic “within 30 days of the date on which you first accepted this
Agreement” and requiring the notice to “include your name, mailing address, and account name
you use while playing Fortnite, and state that you do not wish to resolve disputes with Epic through
arbitration”). By its terms, the EULA is subject to the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”). Id. at 12 §
12.3.
On February 6, 2026, Plaintiff’s counsel provided Epic’s counsel with information for the
accounts S.S.M. uses to play Fortnite, including Gamertags and email addresses. ECF No. 55-1 ¶
47; see also Rickert Decl. Ex. A, ECF No. 51-33. Based on the information provided by Plaintiff,
Epic identified six accounts belonging to S.S.M. ECF No. 55-1 ¶ 47. Epic Account #1 was created
on March 2, 2019. Id. ¶ 47.a. The EULA in effect at that time is attached to the Saunders
Declaration as Exhibit 9. Id. ¶ 52; ECF No. 51-11. Epic Account #2 was created on August 6, 2019.
ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 47.b. Epic Account #3 was created on September 28, 2019. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 47.c.
The EULA in effect at that time is attached to the Saunders Declaration as Exhibit 14. Id. ¶ 70;
ECF No. 51-16. Epic Account #4 was created on January 10, 2021. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 47.d. The
EULA in effect at that time is attached to the Saunders Declaration as Exhibit 14. Id. ¶ 73; ECF
No. 51-16. Epic Account #5 was created on November 5, 2021. Id. ¶ 47.e. The EULA in effect at
that time is attached to the Saunders Declaration as Exhibit 21. Id. ¶ 76; ECF No. 51-23. Epic
Account #6 was created on August 13, 2024. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 47.f. The EULA in effect at that time
is attached to the Saunders Declaration as Exhibit 27. Id. ¶ 90; ECF No. 51-29.
Saunders also attests that “Epic maintains electronic records of each instance in which a
player accepts the EULA. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 50. Relying on those records, Saunders avers that the
user of each account subsequently accepted the EULA as updates became available, identifying
the dates, times, and devices on which this acceptance occurred. Id. ¶¶ 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 60,
62, 64, 66, 68, 69, 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85; see also Ex. 8, ECF No 55-5; Ex. 13, ECF
No. 55-6; Ex. 18, ECF No. 55-7; Ex. 19, ECF No. 55-8; Ex. 20, ECF No. 55-9. Saunders does not
provide any explanation for when or how those records are made.
S.S.M’s grandmother and guardian Dany Mercado has never played Fortnite or created a
Fortnite account, nor has she ever seen the EULA. Mercado Decl. ¶¶ 14–15, ECF No. 63-1. S.S.M.
does not deny creating the Epic Accounts. See S.S.M. Decl., ECF No. 63-2. S.S.M. states that the
game saves their username and password and rarely asks for it to be entered before playing. Id. ¶
11. S.S.M. has played Fortnite using multiple accounts and is aware of other people using some of
the same accounts. Id. ¶ 10. S.S.M. does not recall seeing the EULA or any messages from Epic
about arbitration. Id. ¶ 12. S.S.M. does not know what “arbitration” means. Id. ¶ 13.
On January 14, 2025, Plaintiff’s counsel sent a letter to Epic purporting to opt out of the
EULA on behalf of Plaintiff and counsel’s other clients. ECF Nos. 55-11–55-13 (listing Plaintiff
at ECF No. 55-12 at 18). Plaintiff’s counsel sent a subsequent letter providing “updated
information for certain clients,” including Plaintiff. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 94; ECF No. 55-12.
S.S.M. executed a declaration on June 3, 2026, disaffirming any agreement with Epic,
including the EULA. Id. ¶ 22.
II. Plaintiff’s Objections
Plaintiff objects to the declaration of David Saunders and the exhibits thereto under Federal
Rules of Evidence 402, 403, 602, 701, 802, 803(6), 901, 1002, and 1004. ECF No. 63-6. David
Saunders is a director of product management at Epic and has worked for Epic since 2023. ECF
No. 51-2 ¶ 1. He avers that he has personal knowledge of the facts presented in his declaration. Id.
His declaration outlines the process for creating Epic accounts and logging into the Fortnite game.
It also attaches images of Epic’s account creation process and sign-in screens, account information
from Epic’s records for S.S.M.’s Epic accounts, copies of the EULA in effect at the time S.S.M.’s
Epic accounts were created, and the updates that Saunders states were accepted throughout the
years. For each attached exhibit, Saunders attests that it is a “true and accurate copy” of the
document. E.g., id. ¶¶ 10, 27, 48, 56.
A. Personal Knowledge
Plaintiff begins with an objection for lack of foundation under Federal Rule of Evidence
602. Plaintiff contends that “reciting one’s position or job title is insufficient to demonstrate
competence to testify,” that there is no basis for Saunders’ purported knowledge of the processes
in place pre-dating the beginning of his employment in 2023, and that he does not claim to be
attesting in the capacity of a custodian of records such that the business records exception to
hearsay would negate the need for personal knowledge.
“A witness may testify to a matter only if evidence is introduced sufficient to support a
finding that the witness has personal knowledge of the matter.” Fed. R. Evid. 602. Such evidence
may consist of the witness’s own testimony. Id. “When a lay witness has particularized knowledge
by virtue of her experience, she may testify—even if the subject matter is specialized or
technical—because the testimony is based on the layperson’s personal knowledge rather than on
specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.” Donlin v. Philips Lighting N. Am. Corp., 581
F.3d 73, 81 (3d Cir. 2009). “When testifying about his business, a lay witness’s personal knowledge
may include ‘inferences that he could draw from his perception of a business’s records, or facts or
data perceived by him in his corporate capacity.’” United States v. Eady, 648 F. App’x 188, 190
(3d Cir. 2016) (quoting United States v. Polishan, 336 F.3d 234, 242 (3d Cir. 2003)). In Eady, a
senior engineer testified about the operation and interface of a web service used for call recording
without being qualified as an expert. Id. The witness had no prior experience with the service
because it was discontinued before he joined the company. Id. Nonetheless, the Third Circuit
affirmed the allowance of the testimony because, although the testimony was “perhaps at the outer
limits of permissible lay witness testimony, his knowledge was nonetheless based on business
records and information that he acquired from his professional colleagues.” Id. Similarly, in United
States v. Bansal, the Third Circuit found that an IRS agent had sufficient personal knowledge to
testify about wire transfers where his testimony was based on his personal examination of the bank
and wire transfer records introduced at trial. 663 F.3d 634, 667 (3d Cir. 2011).
Courts in this district have also applied this approach in the context of motions to compel
arbitration. Klosterman v. Discover Prods. Inc., 752 F. Supp. 3d 470, 477 (E.D. Pa. 2024)
(Beetlestone, J.) (declining to exclude declaration where declarant reviewed plaintiff’s account
history and records and the accompanying exhibits were admissible business records under Rule
803(6)); Crumpler v. Midland Credit Mgmt., Inc., 2013 WL 6576318, at *2 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 13,
2013) (Rufe, J.) (declining to strike declaration where declarant “reviewed business records before
his deposition from which he learned of T-Mobile’s business practice to put Terms and Conditions
in boxes with phones,” which “allow[ed] him to testify to the business practice, which would be
sufficient for a factfinder to infer that T-Mobile acted in conformity with the business practice”).
This is consistent with the summary judgment standard applicable to a motion to compel
arbitration like this one. In moving for or opposing summary judgment, a party may support or
oppose a motion with an affidavit or declaration based on personal knowledge from a person
competent to testify, where it sets out facts that would be admissible in evidence. Fed. R. Civ. P.
56(c). They may also “object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot be presented
in a form that would be admissible in evidence.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(2). Plaintiff offers no reason
to believe Epic would not be able to present the evidence in an admissible form at trial (at least
with respect to the declaration as a whole), and Plaintiff acknowledges that “a witness can obtain
personal knowledge of events otherwise outside their actual perception and observations through
the review of, e.g., business records.” ECF No. 79 at 3. However, Plaintiff argues “there must be
limits to a declarant’s ability to supplement their personal knowledge” when they are not testifying
as a corporate designee. ECF No. 79 at 3. Plaintiff cites no case law supporting this proposition or
showing the line should be drawn where Plaintiff contends it should be. Saunders attested under
penalty of perjury that he has personal knowledge of the facts contained within the declaration,
including that each exhibit is a “true and accurate” copy of what it purports to be. This is sufficient
to establish that he gained the personal knowledge necessary to testify to the information.
Plaintiff’s objections under Rule 602 are, therefore, overruled.
B. Authentication
Plaintiff also argues that the exhibits are not properly authenticated. Rule 901 allows a
party to satisfy the requirement of authenticating evidence through testimony of a witness with
knowledge that the item is what it claims to be. Fed. R. Evid. 901(a), (b)(1). The proponent has an
“incredibly ‘slight’ burden, which may be satisfied by simply producing ‘evidence sufficient to
support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is.’” Blunt v. Lower Merion Sch.
Dist., 767 F.3d 247, 330 (3d Cir. 2014) (McKee, J., concurring in part) (quoting Fed. R. Evid.
901(a)). Saunders attests that he has personal knowledge and that each exhibit is a “fair and
accurate” copy of what it purports to be. This is sufficient. Plaintiff’s objections based on
authentication are overruled.
C. Best Evidence
In Objection Numbers 1 through 6, Plaintiff invokes the Best Evidence Rule. See ECF No.
79 at 6, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19. The Best Evidence Rule requires a party to produce the “original writing,
recording, or photograph . . . to prove its content.” Fed. R. Evid. 1002. With respect to the versions
of the EULA, Saunders does so. He attaches each version of the EULA from the time S.S.M.’s
first Epic account was created until the most recent accepted update. The Rule does not prohibit
the declarant from quoting from the documents that have been produced or explaining their
contents.3 See Giuliano v. Anchorage Advisors, LLC, 19 F. Supp. 3d 1087, 1100 (D. Or. 2014)
(“Where, as in every instance here, the subject document is in fact offered into evidence, the rule
does not preclude testimony regarding its contents, whether or not such testimony would be
superfluous.”). Nor does it require the production of documents containing information about
which the declarant has personal knowledge, unless he is seeking to prove the contents of those
documents. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Swann, 27 F.3d 1539, 1543 (11th Cir. 1994) (Rule 1002 does not
“require production of a document simply because the document contains facts that are also
testified to by a witness.” (citation omitted)).
3 The Best Evidence Rule would not apply, for example, to Saunders’s statements identifying S.S.M.’s Epic Accounts
or the history of EULA acceptance on each. The produced records of S.S.M.’s Epic accounts or later acceptances of
the EULA updates form the basis for Saunders’s knowledge of S.S.M.’s account history, but the declaration does not
seek to prove their contents. See Fed. R. Evid. 1002, advisory committee’s notes (“Application of the rule requires a
resolution of the question whether contents are sought to be proved. Thus an event may be proved by nondocumentary
evidence, even though a written record of it was made. If, however, the event is sought to be proved by the written
record, the rule applies.”).
In her first objection, Plaintiff argues generally that “all statements as to the contents of a
writing that has not been produced must be stricken” but identifies no specific statement. Nor does
Plaintiff identify any document that was not produced. The Court will not guess at which
statements Plaintiff believes should be stricken. See Utica Mut. Ins. Co. v. Munich Reins. Am.,
2018 WL 3135847, at *9 (N.D.N.Y. June 27, 2018) (denying motion to preclude testimony
concerning interpretation of policy where defendant did “not identif[y], with any specificity, the
factual evidence or documents it contend[ed] [were] subject to [Rule 1002]”).
Plaintiff later argues that the screenshots depicting the account creation process only apply
to accounts created after 2022 and “to the extent Mr. Saunders’s statements reflect a comparison
of Epic’s current screen flow from the past that he has reviewed, he is offering evidence of the
content of a writing (the prior screenflows) that are not in evidence – a clear violation of the best
evidence rule.” ECF No. 63 at 13 (citing Fed. R. Evid. 1002, 1004). Epic responds that this is
demonstrative evidence and that it has filed screenshots of the previous acceptance process in other
cases. ECF No. 78 at 4. The Court agrees with Plaintiff that the best evidence of what users saw
on their screens at any given time is a screenshot of the screen as it was then, not as it is now. For
that reason, the Court will not consider the screenshots depicting the current screenflow process
or the descriptions of what was shown on screen.
However, with respect to Saunders’s description of the account creation process more
generally, Plaintiff is mistaken as to the applicability of the best evidence rule. For instance,
Saunders explains that to create an Epic account, the player must provide their date of birth, choose
a unique display name and password, and check a box indicating they agree to the “terms of
service.” ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 9–10, 23–24. He further explains that users must log into their Epic
Account in the Fortnite game and click “accept” when faced with a scrollable display of the EULA.
Id. ¶ 34. These descriptions of the account creation process are based on Saunders’s personal
knowledge, including his review of Epic’s records, about which he may testify. For those
descriptions, there is no best evidence violation. See Swann, 27 F.3d at 1543.
Plaintiff’s objection number 12 challenges the statement that “Epic records reflect that
S.S.M. Account #5 has been used to play Fortnite many times since the filing of the Complaint on
October 15, 2025, including most recently on November 19, 2025.” ECF No. 79 at 34 (quoting
ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 87). Epic did not produce those records. Regardless, this statement does not seek
to prove the contents of the records. Rather, it seeks to prove that Account #5 was still in use after
the Complaint was filed. That is knowledge the declarant gained from review of Epic’s records. It
is not a Best Evidence violation. See Swann, 27 F.3d at 1543.
In sum, Plaintiff’s Best Evidence objections to Exhibits 2, 3, and 4 and the declaration’s
references thereto are sustained. Plaintiff’s remaining Best Evidence objections are overruled.
D. Relevance
Only relevant evidence is admissible. Fed. R. Evid. 402. The test for relevance is a low bar.
Forrest v. Parry, 930 F.3d 93, 114 (3d Cir. 2019). To be relevant, evidence need only have “any
tendency to make a fact [of consequence] more or less probable.” Id.; Fed. R. Evid. 401.
Epic Games Account Creation Process: Paragraphs 5 through 22 of the declaration
describe the Epic account creation process through Epic Games, as opposed to the account creation
process using a video game console like Xbox or PlayStation. Plaintiff argues these steps are not
relevant because S.S.M.’s Epic Accounts were created on a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and
Xbox, so the account creation process through Epic Games is inapplicable to S.S.M.’s accounts.
Pl.’s Obj. No. 2, ECF No. 79 at 6–7. The Court disagrees. Paragraphs 5 through 11 describe one
way to create an Epic Games Account. The declaration does not establish that the Epic Games
account cannot be created on video game consoles. Rather, it provides two methods of creating an
Epic account. Creating a console-linked account is an option for video game console users, but
those accounts appear to be limited to the console on which they are created, and there is no
indication that the S.S.M. Accounts were so limited. ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 23 ([P]layers with a video
game console . . . may create an account limited to use on that console, linked to their console
account.”). Both means of account creation are relevant.
Console-Linked Account Creation Process: Plaintiff objects to the relevance of the
console-linked account creation process because it refers to a process since December 2022 and
five of S.S.M.’s six Epic Accounts were created before then. See ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 6, 24. The Court
interprets this objection to be focused on the cabined accounts for children under the age of 13,
which became available in December 2022. The Court addresses this argument below. More
broadly, however, the process of creating a console-linked account is relevant because Plaintiff
used video game consoles to create the accounts.
Cabined Account Creation Process: Paragraphs 12 through 22 and 27 through 31
describe the parent approval process for accounts belonging to children under the age of 13. These
“cabined accounts” only became available in December 2022, when S.S.M. was fifteen years old.
This process is not relevant because “cabined accounts” were not available to S.S.M. These
paragraphs will, therefore, be stricken.
Epic’s Terms of Service: To the extent Plaintiff objects to Epic’s Terms of Service pre-
dating November 28, 2025 (when they superseded the EULA) based on relevance, the Court agrees
that the earlier Terms of Service do not form the basis of Epic’s motion to compel arbitration. See
Pl.’s Obj. Nos. 4 & 5, ECF No. 79 at 12–13. Epic seeks to enforce the arbitration agreement
contained within the EULA, not the Terms of Service pre-dating November 2025. The only Epic
Games Terms of Service attached to the declaration is the one that superseded the EULA for
Fortnite accounts. Saunders Decl. Ex. 1, ECF No. 51-3. There is no evidence that S.S.M. agreed
to the terms or played Fortnite after the Terms of Service took effect. Plaintiff’s objection to Exhibit
1 is sustained. However, to the extent Plaintiff objects to any mention of Epic’s Terms of Service,
the objection is overruled. A full description of the account creation process, including the various
agreements presented to account creators and users is relevant to provide a full understanding of
the users’ experience.
Screenshots of the Account Creation Process: Plaintiff challenges the screenshots
depicting the account creation process as it is today. As mentioned above in the Best Evidence
Rule discussion, these images are not relevant to determining what was shown on screen between
2019 and 2024 when S.S.M.’s Epic accounts were created. The Court will strike the screenshots
for the additional reason that they are not relevant. See Bacon v. Avis Budget Grp., Inc., 959 F.3d
590, 604 (3d Cir. 2020) (finding no abuse of discretion where district court excluded screenshots
showing websites as they existed eighteen months after plaintiffs made reservations).
E. Hearsay
Hearsay statements may be considered on a summary judgment motion “if they are capable
of admission at trial.” Shelton v. Univ. of Med. & Dentistry of N.J., 223 F.3d 220, 223 n.2 (3d Cir.
2000). Regardless, not every document or out-of-court statement is hearsay. Hearsay is an out-of-
court statement offered “to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” Fed. R. Evid. 801. “If the
significance of an offered statement lies solely in the fact that it was made, no issue is raised as to
the truth of anything asserted, and the statement is not hearsay.” Fed. R. Evid. 801, advisory
committee’s note.
Plaintiff invokes the rule against hearsay in objection numbers two through fourteen, which
seek to exclude the descriptions of the account creation process, screenshots of that process, and
Epic’s records for S.S.M.’s Epic Accounts. The descriptions and screenshots of the account
creation processes are not hearsay. They contain no factual statement that Epic seeks to prove as
true. Their significance lies solely in the fact that the words or screens were shown to the account
creator. See Fed. R. Evid. 801, advisory committee’s note. To the extent certain statements like
“You can now play!” in the screenshot of the console-linked account creation process, see ECF
No. 51-6 at 9, contain some averment sought to be proven true, the Court does not take that for the
truth of the matter asserted. Saunders himself describes what is required to create an Epic account
based on his personal knowledge. That description is not hearsay, so the hearsay objections in
Objection Numbers two through six are overruled.
However, Plaintiff’s objections to Exhibits 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, and 26, and Saunders’
statements about them are sustained. Pl.’s Obj. Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, ECF No. 79 at 20–35
(citing ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 60, 61, 63, 65, 68, 69, 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83,
85, 87, 88, 89, 91, 93). Exhibits 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, and 26 are records of the EULA acceptance
events for S.S.M.’s Epic Accounts.4 Paragraph 87 of Saunders’ declaration also states that Epic’s
records reflect S.S.M. Account #5 has been used to play Fortnite many times since this action was
initiated, and Paragraph 93 asserts that Epic received no opt-out notification within 30 days of the
date the EULA was first accepted. Epic offers these records (or lack thereof) and the related
statements for the truth of the matter asserted: that the user of the S.S.M. Epic Accounts accepted
various updated versions of the EULA at specified times on specified devices, did not timely opt
out of the arbitration provision, and continued playing Fortnite after the filing of the Complaint.
4 Plaintiff does not object to the exhibits showing the existence of the Epic Accounts or the paragraphs listing them
and their creation date. See ECF No. 55-1 ¶¶ 47–48; Exs. 5–7, ECF Nos. 51-7, 51-8, 51-9.
Without an exception to the rule against hearsay, these statements and documents must be
excluded.
Rule 803(6) allows for the admission of business records where the proponent
demonstrates all of the following:
(A) the record was made at or near the time by — or from information transmitted
by — someone with knowledge;
(B) the record was kept in the course of a regularly conducted activity of a business,
organization, occupation, or calling, whether or not for profit;
(C) making the record was a regular practice of that activity;
(D) all these conditions are shown by the testimony of the custodian or another
qualified witness, or by a certification that complies with Rule 902(11) or (12) or
with a statute permitting certification; and
(E) the opponent does not show that the source of information or the method or
circumstances of preparation indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Fed. R. Evid. 803(6). Rule 803(7), meanwhile, permits evidence that a matter is not included in a
business record if:
(A) the evidence is admitted to prove that the matter did not occur or exist;
(B) a record was regularly kept for a matter of that kind; and
(C) the opponent does not show that the possible source of the information or other
circumstances indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Fed. R. Evid. 803(7).
Saunders has not established the necessary elements to show these documents or statements
would fall within the business records exceptions. Merely stating the documents are “true and
correct EULA acceptance data from Epic’s records” for each S.S.M. Epic Account is not enough
to establish the foundation for the business records exception. The Court, therefore, lacks sufficient
information at this stage to determine whether either exception could apply. See MEDDICC Ltd.
v. 01 Consulting LLC, 831 F. Supp. 3d 297, 316 n.7 (E.D. Pa. 2026) (Beetlestone, J.).
Epic argues that hearsay objections in a motion to compel arbitration are generally
inappropriate. ECF No. 79 at 4. However, the cases Epic relies on involve declarations that
established the elements of the business records exception. See Klosterman, 752 F. Supp. 3d at 477
(“Further, the accompanying exhibits are admissible under Rule 803(6), as Wantuch is an
authorized representative of Discover and avers that the exhibits ‘are true and correct copies of the
records that were made at or near the time of the occurrence of the matters set forth therein by the
person with knowledge of these matters, and were made, kept by, and relied upon in the regularly
conducted business activity as a regular practice of Discover.’”); Jovel v. TeamSnap, Inc., No. 2025
WL 2161056, at *4 (D. Col. July 30, 2025) (finding “exhibits meet the conditions of the business
records hearsay exception”).
For these reasons, Plaintiff’s Objection Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are sustained on
hearsay grounds.
F. Lay Opinion
Finally, Plaintiff objects to the statement that “the screen displaying the EULA or TOS that
players are presented with is identical to the above in all material respects regardless of the
platform used to install and play the game (e.g., Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo
Switch, personal computer),” asserting this is an improper lay opinion without the proper
foundation establishing he personally reviewed each prior EULA/TOS display screen. Pl.’s Obj.
No. 5, ECF No. 79 at 16–17 (quoting ECF No. 51-2 ¶ 35). A lay witness may testify in the form
of an opinion if it is (a) rationally based on his perception, (b) helpful to determine a fact in issue,
and “(c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule
702.” Fed. R. Evid. 701. Plaintiff’s objection falls within the first element, which “is the familiar
requirement of first-hand knowledge or observation.” Fed. R. Evid. 701, advisory committee’s
note. Once again, Saunders attested that he has personal knowledge of the facts in his declaration.
He is a director of product management for Epic. He may testify to opinions rationally based on
his knowledge of Epic’s account creation processes. Eady, 648 F. App’x at 190.
III. Motion to Compel Arbitration
Sustaining the objections listed above results in the exclusion of the screenshots of the
account creation process and records of the account activity. Without that evidence, the Court
cannot determine whether Epic account creators or later users were sufficiently on notice of the
EULA or the arbitration agreement therein. The Court, therefore, cannot compel S.S.M. to arbitrate
their claims at this time. Even if it could, however, the Court finds that S.S.M. disaffirmed the
agreement and may avoid its enforcement.
The FAA, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., “expresse[s] a strong federal policy in favor of resolving
disputes through arbitration.” Century Indem. Co. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, 584
F.3d 513, 522 (3d Cir. 2009). However, arbitration is a creature of contract, and “[a] court can
compel a party to arbitrate only if the party agreed to arbitration.” Zirpoli v. Midland Funding,
LLC, 48 F.4th 136, 142 (3d Cir. 2022). The Court “consider[s] two ‘gateway’ questions: (1)
whether the parties have a valid arbitration agreement at all (i.e., its enforceability), and (2)
whether a concededly binding arbitration clause applies to a certain type of controversy (i.e., its
scope).” In re Remicade (Direct Purchaser) Antitrust Litig., 938 F.3d 515, 519 (3d Cir. 2019)
(citation modified).
Where, as here, the arbitration agreement is not apparent on the face of the complaint,
courts apply the summary judgment standard. Young v. Experian Info. Sols., Inc., 119 F.4th 314,
318 n.7, 319–20 (3d Cir. 2024). The Court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to
the party opposing arbitration and determine whether there is a genuine factual dispute as to the
existence, enforceability, or scope of the arbitration agreement. Id.; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56.
Once the moving party produces sufficient evidence to show the absence of a genuine dispute as
to formation, the opposing party “must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical
doubt as to the material facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S.
574, 586 (1986). If “the parties come forward with facts that put the formation of the arbitration
agreement in issue, the court may authorize ‘limited discovery’ to resolve that narrow issue for
purposes of deciding whether to submit the matter to arbitration.” MZM Constr. Co. v. N.J. Bldg.
Laborers Statewide Benefit Funds, 974 F.3d 386, 406 (3d Cir. 2020). “After discovery, the court
may consider the question anew,” applying the summary judgment standard. Id. If at that point, a
genuine factual dispute as to formation remains, “the court must proceed summarily to trial on the
making of the arbitration agreement.” Id. (cleaned up); 9 U.S.C. § 4 (“If the making of the
arbitration agreement or the failure, neglect, or refusal to perform the same be in issue, the court
shall proceed summarily to the trial thereof.”).
In analyzing whether a valid arbitration agreement was formed, courts look to ordinary
state-law principles governing contract formation. Century Indem. Co., 584 F.3d at 524. Under
Pennsylvania law,5 the Court considers: “(1) whether both parties manifested an intention to be
5 Epic relies on both Pennsylvania law and North Carolina law pursuant to the EULA’s choice-of-law provision, EULA
§ 11. ECF No. 51-1 at 7 n.4. Plaintiff relies on Pennsylvania law. ECF No. 63 at 7 n.1. In evaluating an arbitration
agreement, federal courts look to the forum state’s choice of law principles. See Gay v. CreditInform, 511 F.3d 369,
389 (3d Cir. 2007). Under Pennsylvania law, the first inquiry is “whether the laws of the two jurisdictions would
produce the same result on the particular issue presented.” White v. Sunoco, Inc., 870 F.3d 257, 263 (3d Cir. 2017)
(cleaned up). “If the results would be the same, there is no actual conflict and [the Court] should avoid the choice-of-
law question.” Id. (cleaned up). In that event, the Court must apply the law of the forum state. State Farm Fire & Cas.
Co. v. Holmes Prods., 165 F. App’x 182, 185 n.1 (3d Cir. 2006).
The parties agree there is no conflict between Pennsylvania and North Carolina law. ECF No. 51-1 at 7 n.4; ECF No.
63 at 7 n.1. For questions of contract formation, each state requires a showing of mutual assent, which is generally
evidenced through offer and acceptance. Creech v. Melnik, 495 S.E.2d 907, 912 (N.C. 1998); Refuse Mgmt. Sys., Inc.,
v. Consol. Recycling & Transfer Sys., 671 A.2d 1140, 1146 (Pa. Super. 1996). Additionally, each state provides that a
contract with a minor is voidable, not void. See Santiago v. Philly Trampoline Park, LLC, 291 A.3d 1213, 1224 (Pa.
Super. 2023) (“A contract executed by a minor is not void ab initio, but is voidable such that the minor may, upon
reaching majority, avoid any contract other than for necessaries.”); Chandler v. Jones, 90 S.E. 580, 581 (N.C. 1916)
(“contract of an infant is voidable and not void”). Accordingly, the Court applies Pennsylvania law.
bound by the agreement; (2) whether the terms of the agreement are sufficiently definite to be
enforced; and (3) whether there was consideration.” ATACS Corp. v. Trans World Commc’ns, Inc.,
155 F.3d 659, 666 (3d Cir. 1998). Pennsylvania courts generally enforce electronic agreements,
Pricharda v. Checkr, Inc., No. 22-cv-3180, 2022 WL 16749033, at *3 (E.D. Pa. Nov. 7, 2022)
(collecting cases); see also Wiggins v. Lab’y Corp. of Am. Holdings, No. 24-0648, 2024 WL
4476646, at *7 (E.D. Pa. Oct. 11, 2024), so long as the consumer was on inquiry or constructive
notice of the agreement, Mccormack v. Dentsply Sirona, Inc., No. 26-CV-2154, 2026 WL 1830935,
at *4 (E.D. Pa. June 24, 2026) (Kenney, J.).
A. S.S.M. Created the Epic Accounts.
Although S.S.M. argues that anyone may use their Epic Account after the login information
is saved, see ECF No. 63 at 12, that does not account for the assent to the EULA when the accounts
were created. The following is undisputed:
S.S.M. has played Fortnite many times. See ECF No. 1 ¶ 285 (alleging “S.S.M. has played
more than 581 hours of Fortnite on their Xbox console alone”). S.S.M. could not have done so
without an Epic account. See ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 5, 23 (explaining that before playing Fortnite,
players must set up an Epic account). When creating an Epic account, users must enter their
personal information and choose a unique display name and password. ECF No. 51-2 ¶¶ 6, 9, 11,
23–24. After creating an Epic account and downloading Fortnite, players must log in using their
username and password. Id. ¶¶ 33–34. The first time users log into their account in the Fortnite
game, users must decide whether to “accept” or “decline” the EULA. Id. ¶ 34. Users may not play
Fortnite without clicking “accept.” Id. ¶ 32. The EULA discloses the arbitration provision on the
first page. ECF Nos. 51-2 ¶ 76, 51-23 at 2 (EULA in effect when Epic Account #5 was created). It
then provides the details of the arbitration provision in Section 12. ECF No. 51-23 at 11–14.
S.S.M. has created six Epic accounts to play Fortnite. ECF No. 55-1 ¶¶ 46–49. Mercado
has never created a Fortnite account for herself or for S.S.M. ECF No. 63-1 ¶ 15. S.S.M. does not
deny creating the Epic accounts or linking the Epic accounts to the Fortnite game after
downloading it. See ECF No. 63-2 ¶¶ 10–14. S.S.M. is aware of others playing Fortnite on some
of the accounts they have used and avers that the game saves their username and password. Id.
S.S.M. does not deny creating or entering the username and password in the first instance, nor do
they contend they have shared their username and password with anyone else. See id.
The undisputed evidence before the Court, therefore, shows S.S.M. created six Epic
Accounts. Before playing Fortnite, S.S.M. had to log into those accounts and accept the EULA.
S.S.M.’s and Mercado’s declarations do not change this. Nor does the Court need to resolve any
question raised by S.S.M. regarding whether one of the other people they are “aware of” playing
Fortnite on “some of” their accounts could have been playing when the EULA updates were
accepted after the initial log-in. Such speculation does not establish a genuine dispute that S.S.M.
clicked “accept” when logging into a new Epic account and using it to play Fortnite for the first
time. See Tomlin v. Roblox Corp., No. 25-4301, 2026 WL 1412606, at *7 (E.D. Pa. May 20, 2026);
see also Antonetti v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., 764 F. Supp. 3d 1309, 1319–20 (N.D. Ga. 2025)
(compelling arbitration where Epic identified plaintiff's account and rejecting plaintiff's argument
that Epic produced insufficient evidence that the account actually belonged to him because
plaintiff's refusal to confirm account credentials did “not create a ‘genuine’ dispute of material
fact”); Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., 475 U.S. at 586 (requiring party opposing summary judgment
to “do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts”).6
6 Plaintiff’s reliance on Commonwealth v. Mangel is unpersuasive. Mangel involved social media posts made on an
account known to belong to the defendant after it was created. 181 A.3d 1154 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). It explained that
“the proponent of social media evidence must present direct or circumstantial evidence that tends to corroborate the
identity of the author of the communication in question, such as testimony from the person who sent or received the
B. Whether the Account Creation Process Provided Sufficient Notice Cannot Be
Resolved on this Record.
The inquiry does not end with a finding that S.S.M. clicked “accept” when creating the
Epic Accounts. Plaintiff argues that the party seeking to compel arbitration must prove the
opposing party was on actual or constructive notice of the agreement and that Epic has not done
so with admissible evidence. ECF No. 63 at 13. The Court agrees.
There are different kinds of electronic agreements, the most common of which are
clickwrap and browsewrap agreements. See Mccormack, 2026 WL 1830935, at *4, n.2.
“‘Clickwrap’ agreements arise where a website presents the consumer with terms and conditions,
often via hyperlink, and the consumer must click a box stating ‘I agree’ before continuing onto the
site.” Id. (citing Duffy v. Tatum, 354 A.3d 14, 23–24 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026). The affirmative act of
clicking “I agree” generally renders clickwrap agreements enforceable, even if the consumer never
clicked on the hyperlink or read the agreement. Id. This is true so long as the consumer received
inquiry notice of the agreement. Id. By contrast, “browsewrap agreements do not require users to
expressly manifest assent.” James v. Global TelLink Corp., 852 F.3d 262, 267 (3d Cir. 2017)
(finding no assent where user made transaction over the phone and terms of service were on
website). Instead, the terms and conditions are usually hyperlinked on the webpage, and users are
said to agree merely by continuing to use it. Id. Browsewrap agreements require the terms or the
communication, or contextual clues in the communication tending to reveal the identity of the sender.” Id. at 1162.
The court affirmed the trial court’s exclusion of chat messages where the Commonwealth presented no evidence
tending to substantiate that the defendant created the social media account, authored the messages, or posted the
photographs it sought to introduce. Id. at 1164. Here, there is circumstantial evidence that S.S.M. created the accounts:
they were identified based on information provided by S.S.M.’s counsel, most are in S.S.M.’s name, several use the
same or similar email addresses, some of the identified S.S.M. accounts have only been used by S.S.M., and notably,
S.S.M. does not deny creating or using them to play Fortnite. See ECF No. 55-1 ¶¶ 46–47; ECF No. 63-2 ¶ 10 (“I have
played Fortnite on multiple accounts. I am aware of other people playing on some of the accounts I have used to play
Fortnite.” (emphasis added)).
hyperlink to the terms be reasonably conspicuous to put the user on constructive or inquiry notice
of the agreement. Id.
With either kind of online agreement, “a true and actual meeting of the minds is not
necessary to form a contract.” Am. Eagle Outfitters v. Lyle & Scott Ltd., 584 F.3d 575, 582 (3d Cir.
2009) (cleaned up). Courts look “not to inward, subjective intent but, rather, to the ‘intent a
reasonable person would apprehend in considering the parties’ behavior.” HealthplanCRM v.
AvMed, Inc., 458 F. Supp. 3d 308, 331–32 (W.D. Pa. 2020) (quoting Am. Eagle Outfitters, 584
F.3d at 582). Accordingly, “an internet user need not actually read the terms and conditions or click
on a hyperlink that makes them available as long as she has notice of their existence.” Id. at 332
(quoting Nicosia v. Amazon.com, Inc., 834 F.3d 220, 232 (2d Cir. 2016)); see also Dicent v. Kaplan
Univ., 758 F. App’x 311, 314 (3d Cir. 2019) (not precedential) (finding plaintiff’s failure to read
enrollment packet containing arbitration agreement “will not save her from her obligation to
arbitrate”); Standard Venetian Blind Co. v. Am. Empire Ins. Co., 469 A.2d 563, 566 (Pa. 1983) (“In
the absence of proof of fraud, failure to read the contract is an unavailing excuse or defense and
cannot justify an avoidance, modification or nullification of the contract or any provision thereof.”
(cleaned up)).
Saunders describes the process of creating an Epic Games account as involving a clickwrap
agreement, which is generally enforceable under Pennsylvania law. See Wiggins v. Lab’y Corp. of
Am. Holdings, No. 24-0648, 2024 WL 4476646, at *7 (E.D. Pa. Oct. 11, 2024) (explaining
clickwrap agreements are enforceable where users are clearly presented with terms and conditions
before affirmatively checking a box stating “I agree” or otherwise manifesting acceptance).
Plaintiff argues, however, that Epic has not established that the way the EULA was presented on
screen put users, particularly the children to whom Epic markets its game, on inquiry notice.
“When analyzing whether notice is reasonably conspicuous, the court views the website from the
perspective of the reasonably prudent internet user, i.e., ‘a person who is neither an expert nor a
novice with technology,’ which ‘permits certain basic, objective assumptions regarding the user’s
familiarity with commercial websites, hyperlinks, and online contracts.’” Checchia v. SoLo Funds,
Inc., 771 F. Supp. 3d 594, 607–08 (E.D. Pa. 2025); see also Am. Eagle Outfitters, 584 F.3d at 582
(“In assessing intent, the object of the inquiry is not the inner, subjective intent of the parties, but
rather the intent a reasonable person would apprehend in considering the parties’ behavior.”). Thus,
courts consider “both ‘the context of the transaction’ and visual aspects of the notice to determine
whether it was reasonably conspicuous.” Checchia, 771 F. Supp. 3d at 608 (citing Ninth Circuit
case law after explaining that Pennsylvania and California law on contract formation are
interchangeable).
The Court lacks sufficient evidence to determine whether the notice was reasonably
conspicuous between 2019 and 2024 so as to put the account creator on inquiry notice of the
agreement. This record does not establish what the creator of the S.S.M. accounts saw (or could
have seen) when the accounts were created or what the user of the S.S.M. accounts may have seen
when the EULA was updated.
Epic’s reference to screenshots of the earlier process it filed in other cases does not help.
The Court can take judicial notice of the fact that those documents were filed in other cases but
cannot accept them for their truth. See Werner v. Werner, 267 F.3d 288, 295 (3d Cir. 2001) (“Taking
judicial notice of the truth of the contents of a filing from a related action could reach, and perhaps
breach, the boundaries of proper judicial notice.”). The Court declines to take judicial notice of the
screenshots filed in other cases purporting to show the account creation process at the relevant
time.
C. S.S.M. Disaffirmed the EULA.
Even if the Court was able to determine that users were put on sufficient notice of the
EULA, it could not compel S.S.M. to arbitrate based on their acceptance of the terms because
S.S.M. has disaffirmed any such agreement. Plaintiff argues the Court should not compel
arbitration because S.S.M. is not competent to contract, S.S.M. disaffirmed the EULA, including
the arbitration and delegation clauses, and the EULA is unconscionable. Epic argues that those
questions are not for the Court to decide because the EULA delegates them to the arbitrator. Courts
must enforce arbitration agreements according to their terms, including agreements to delegate
questions of arbitrability to the arbitrator. AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 U.S. 333, 339
(2011). Where there is an agreement to delegate, the Court’s power to resolve a dispute is limited
to two circumstances: (1) when the challenge goes to the formation of the contract, or (2) when
the challenge is specifically directed to the delegation clause.
“[C]hallenges to the formation of a contract are ‘generally for courts to decide,’”
SBRMCOA, LLC v. Bayside Resort, Inc., 707 F.3d 267, 271 (3d Cir. 2013), because a court must
compel arbitration only “upon being satisfied that the making of the agreement for arbitration . . .
is not in issue.” 9 U.S.C. § 4; MZM Constr., 974 F.3d at 397–98 (explaining the court must “decide
questions about the formation or existence of an arbitration agreement, namely the element of
mutual assent”). However, “if a valid agreement exists, and if the agreement [clearly and
unmistakably] delegates the arbitrability issue to an arbitrator, a court may not decide” whether a
certain dispute is arbitrable. Henry Schein, Inc. v. Archer & White Sales, Inc., 586 U.S. 63, 69
(2019); see also Zirpoli, 48 F.4th at 138. Where the agreement contains such a clear and
unmistakable delegation clause, courts must examine the plaintiff’s challenge and determine
whether it is specifically directed at that clause, as opposed to the arbitration agreement or contract
as a whole. Zirpoli, 48 F.4th at 144; Williams v. Medley Opportunity Fund II, LP, 965 F.3d 229,
237 (3d Cir. 2020). If the challenge is not specifically directed at the delegation clause, the court
must treat the delegation clause as enforceable and refer questions of validity or enforceability to
the arbitrator. MacDonald v. CashCall, Inc., 883 F.3d 220, 227 (3d Cir. 2018). A party may
challenge the delegation provision on the same legal grounds as may be raised with respect to the
entire agreement. Id. (finding a section discussing challenge to delegation provision, identifying
same defect that applied to arbitration provision as a whole, sufficient to invoke court’s power to
intervene); Coinbase, Inc. v. Suski, 602 U.S. 143, 151 (2024) (“The severability . . . rule does not
require that a party challenge only the arbitration or delegation provision. Rather, where a
challenge applies ‘equally’ to the whole contract and to an arbitration or delegation provision, a
court must address that challenge.”). If the plaintiff specifically challenges the delegation clause,
the court must determine whether that clause is enforceable. Williams, 965 F.3d at 237. Only if the
delegation clause is unenforceable may the Court consider the questions that would have been
delegated. Id. This is true even if the Court thinks the argument for arbitration is “wholly
groundless.” Henry Schein, Inc., 586 U.S. at 70.
Applying these principles, the Court must first decide whether Plaintiff’s disaffirmance,
unconscionability, or capacity defenses either: (1) go to the making of the agreement or (2) are
specific attacks on the delegation clause. Id.; Zirpoli, 48 F.4th at 144; MZM Constr., 974 F.3d at
392; see also Sandvik AB v. Advent Int’l Corp., 220 F.3d 99, 100–01 (3d Cir. 2000) (holding
challenge to contract on grounds that signatory lacked authority to sign is challenge to formation,
not validity, and must be decided by court). If the answer is no to both questions, the Court lacks
the power to resolve the issue and must submit it to the arbitrator. The Court considers only
S.S.M.’s disaffirmance because it is dispositive.
S.S.M. executed a declaration on June 3, 2026, asserting they disaffirm the EULA “and
any included arbitration agreements or delegation agreements.” ECF No. 63-2 ¶ 22. Whether this
was an effective disaffirmance does not go to the question of formation because generally a
contract with a minor may be formed and enforceable unless and until the minor disaffirms it.
Tomlin, 2026 WL 1412606, at *9 (citing Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Duncan, 972 F.2d 523, 526 (3d
Cir. 1992)). The Court, therefore, must determine whether Plaintiff’s disaffirmance of the
delegation clause itself renders the delegation clause unenforceable.
Plaintiff seeks to directly challenge the delegation clause by separating S.S.M.’s
disaffirmance of the delegation clause from the disaffirmance of the arbitration provision and the
EULA as a whole. The Court finds this disaffirmance of the delegation clause effective. Although
a minor cannot only disaffirm parts of the contract they find unfavorable while continuing to reap
the benefits of the rest, see Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 7; 3 Williston on Contracts § 7:14
(4th ed.); Duncan, 972 F.2d at 526, they may raise a challenge to the delegation clause on the same
grounds that apply equally to the contract as a whole, MacDonald, 883 F.3d at 227. That is what
S.S.M. has done.
Because S.S.M. disaffirmed the delegation clause, it is unenforceable, and the Court may
consider whether S.S.M. has disaffirmed the EULA as a whole, including its arbitration provision.
Once again, they have. S.S.M. submitted a declaration expressly disaffirming any agreement with
Epic, including any arbitration agreement and delegation clause therein. ECF No. 63-2 ¶ 22. Epic
argues S.S.M.’s disaffirmance was ineffective because they continued to use Epic Account #5 after
filing the Complaint. This says nothing, however, of any activity on the Epic Accounts after filing
the declaration. Contra Tomlin, 2026 WL 1412606, at *11–12. As a minor, S.S.M. was entitled to
disaffirm the EULA and avoid its enforcement. S.S.M. has done so, and Epic has not shown the
June 2026 disaffirmance was incomplete or otherwise ineffective. For this reason, Epic’s motion
is denied. See R.A. v. Epic Games, Inc., No. 19-1488, 2019 WL 6792801, at *7 (C.D. Cal. July 30,
2019) (finding plaintiff’s declaration was valid disaffirmation where there was no evidence that he
continued playing Fortnite after submitting the declaration).
IV. Conclusion
The Court cannot resolve the dispute as to whether S.S.M. was sufficiently on notice of the
EULA on this record. Nonetheless, even if S.S.M. was on notice of the EULA and its arbitration
clause, they have disaffirmed the agreement and cannot be bound by any provision therein. Epic’s
motion is, therefore, denied.
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