I don't think 'eww' had anything to do with the combining of the cases as such, but rather it was done by the Court....
This isn't worth a lot except to continue the discovery phase and get on to the laws involved... That's down the road somewhere... short thread ... LOL
By the way did you catch the PRESS RELEASE ON THIS CASE?
Either way, the friend of my enemy is my enemy. They are in bed together regardless if it was by invitation or happenstance.