Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín on Monday granted a temporary restraining order pausing the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger whereas she considers a broader antitrust authorized problem introduced by a coalition of 12 state attorneys common, led by California AG Rob Bonta.
The order prevents the businesses from finishing the deal this month however is just in impact for 2 weeks. The judge could select to increase it for 2 extra weeks.
The judge mentioned she is going to transfer rapidly to think about the states’ request for a preliminary injunction, which may freeze the merger in place for months and pose a significant setback for Paramount.
Martínez-Olguín will maintain a listening to on August 3 to think about imposing the injunction. Lawyers for Paramount say they may current proof refuting the states’ argument that the deal violates antitrust regulation.
The early August timing is critical as a result of Paramount is on the verge of taking up WBD, together with NCS.
If the coalition of state attorneys common had not filed an antitrust lawsuit on July 13, Paramount appeared prepared to finish the merger this week.
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