Writers Guild of America Files Suit To Block “Catastrophic” Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
The Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East File Action to Oppose $111 Billion Deal That Would Devastate the Creative Workforce and Eliminate Competition Across Film and Television
LOS ANGELES AND NEW YORK — Today, the Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East, jointly the Writers Guild of America (WGA), filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California challenging the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. The complaint alleges that the proposed merger of two of Hollywood's largest studios in a highly concentrated industry would eliminate competition in violation of the Clayton Act. In doing so, the complaint alleges that the proposed merger would harm competition by suppressing writers’ wages, reducing output, and producing other anticompetitive effects.
The complaint names Paramount Skydance Corporation and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. as defendants and seeks to block the transaction.
The WGA is represented by Shinder Cantor Lerner LLP, Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca LLP, and Platkin LLP.
A coalition of State Attorneys General also filed suit to block the merger.
Kellie Lerner, managing partner at Shinder Cantor Lerner, said: “This merger is an existential threat to film and television writers. It will significantly constrict what stories get told, who gets hired, and how creators are paid. Antitrust laws exist to protect competition, workers, and consumers from exactly this kind of market consolidation. We're asking the court to stop this deal before it permanently weakens writers’ bargaining power and erodes competition in this industry.”
Slade Bond, chair of public policy at Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP, said: “The proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger is clearly illegal and must be blocked. It would create a dominant buyer of writers’ work, significantly increasing concentration across several markets in violation of the Clayton Act. The Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East are bringing this case to protect workers and American culture from this catastrophic merger. I am immensely proud to represent them alongside my talented colleagues.”
“If you like paying more for less, you'll love the Paramount–Warner Bros. deal,” said Matthew J. Platkin, former New Jersey Attorney General and founder of Platkin LLP. “This merger will further concentrate power in the hands of a few media giants, enrich executives while squeezing workers, and ultimately leave audiences with fewer choices and lower-quality programming. Alongside a coalition of Attorneys General from across the country, I am honored to represent the Writers Guild of America to challenge this takeover and defend the creatives who power American arts and culture.”
The Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East are labor unions of approximately 18,000 members from across the country who work in motion pictures, television, news, podcasts, and online media.
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About The Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) are labor unions of writers working in motion pictures, television, news, podcasts, and online media. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit www.wgaeast.org.
About Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP
Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP has been serving clients in complex civil litigation in practice areas ranging from antitrust law and class actions to government and legislative advocacy with a team of proven lawyers since 1988. With 35+ years of experience, CGFL believes it is the only law firm of our size equally at home on Capitol Hill, in a political debate, a state trial, or an appellate court. Learn more about the firm: www.cuneolaw.com.
About Shinder Cantor Lerner LLP
SCL is a national antitrust litigation boutique with an established track record of success litigating and advising on high-stakes bet-the-industry matters on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants nationwide. With offices in New York and Washington, Shinder Cantor Lerner focuses on antitrust law. Learn more: scl-llp.com.
About Platkin LLP
Platkin LLP is a mission-driven law firm founded by former New Jersey Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin and a talented team of litigators from the AG’s office. From lawsuits that demand accountability at the highest levels to cases that ensure the public’s safety, protect consumers, and uphold the foundations of our democracy, Platkin doesn’t just win, they set legal precedents to protect the public for generations to come.