States Seek Injunction to Block Paramount-Warner Deal

Officials in California and 11 other states filed for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction on Monday evening seeking to prevent the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. from closing while the states pursue an antitrust lawsuit. Reaction pending. The motion asks the court to pause any consummation of the transaction until the legal challenge is resolved.

Motion asks judge to act by July 22

The filing requests that a federal judge act by July 22, setting an explicit deadline for the court to decide whether to block the deal while litigation continues. Officials said the injunction would preserve the status quo so the states can pursue claims in court; the motion identifies the temporary and preliminary remedies it seeks without resolving the underlying merits.

The states' action puts immediate regulatory pressure on both companies and their shareholders because an injunction would delay closing and could change transaction economics if remedies or divestitures are required. Officials said the legal steps are part of coordinating an enforcement strategy across multiple states; the filing involves standard civil procedure requests used to forestall corporate action during litigation.

A ruling by July 22 will determine whether the deal can proceed on its current timetable or whether courts will keep the parties apart pending the antitrust case. Market participants will watch court scheduling and any hearing dates that follow the states' filing.