In this particular case, the order states that by Monday, December 23, 2024, Mr. Bradley Sostack must submit a mediation questionnaire.

Why is it not an agreement?

* No consensus: An agreement implies that two or more parties have reached an understanding and accepted certain conditions. This order is an imposition by a third party (the court) and does not reflect an agreement between the parties involved in the case.

* Temporary nature: It establishes a deadline for a specific action, which is characteristic of court orders, not agreements.

What does it mean in the context of the case?

It indicates that the legal case between Sostack and Ripple Labs, among others, is moving towards a possible resolution through mediation. The mediation questionnaire is a preliminary step before the mediation session, where the parties present their positions and seek to find a mutually satisfactory agreement.