What Happens Next?

A coalition of twelve state Attorneys General, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount merger.

The lawsuit argues that the merger would substantially reduce competition in film and television markets. The states are asking the court to prevent the transaction from moving forward.

Not yet.

The lawsuit begins the legal process — it does not decide the outcome. The court has not yet determined whether the merger may proceed.

The Attorneys General argue that combining Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount would reduce competition in major film and television markets.

According to the complaint, the merger could lead to fewer opportunities for creators, less competition for film and television projects, reduced investment in programming, harm to theaters and distributors, and higher prices or fewer choices for audiences.

State Attorneys General have independent authority under antitrust law to challenge mergers they believe would substantially lessen competition.

In this case, twelve states concluded that the proposed transaction warranted legal action in federal court.

The court may first consider requests to prevent the companies from closing the merger while the case proceeds. The case may then move through discovery, hearings, motions, trial, a court decision, and possibly an appeal.

Every case is different, and some stages may not occur.

Major merger cases can take many months or longer. Appeals may extend the process further.

Possibly. It depends on what the court orders.

If the court grants a Temporary Restraining Order or Preliminary Injunction, the companies would generally be prevented from closing the merger while the case proceeds.

A Temporary Restraining Order, or TRO, is a short-term emergency court order intended to preserve the status quo while the court considers whether longer-lasting relief is appropriate.

In this case, it could temporarily prevent the companies from completing the merger.

A Preliminary Injunction is a temporary order that may prevent the merger from closing while the lawsuit proceeds.

It does not determine whether the merger is ultimately legal.

A Permanent Injunction is the final remedy requested by the states. If granted, it would permanently prohibit the proposed merger from moving forward.

No.

The lawsuit addresses one proposed merger. Broader challenges involving financing, distribution, exhibition, market concentration, and access to audiences extend beyond this case.

Future Film Coalition will continue working on those issues regardless of the lawsuit's outcome.

No.

The campaign is entering a new phase focused on public education, litigation updates, research, and continuing to elevate the experiences of independent filmmakers, creative workers, small businesses, and audiences.

If you'd like to continue supporting this work, here are a few ways to help:

• Thank State AGs for taking action by tagging them in social media posts.
• Join Future Film Coalition. Become part of a growing community working to strengthen the civic, cultural, and economic infrastructure supporting independent film. Our coalition is free to join.
• Support our research. FFC is a new 501(c)(3) organization, and your tax-deductible contribution will help us produce independent research, public education resources, and policy analysis that will serve the field long after this case concludes. One of the greatest challenges facing independent film is that, despite its enormous cultural and economic contribution, our field has never had the kind of comprehensive national research that other industries rely on when making the case for public investment, economic development, or policy change. That's why we're working to launch the first national economic impact study of U.S. independent film production — providing baseline data that will help policymakers, regulators, funders, and the public better understand the industry's contribution to communities across the country. Contributions of any size will help kick this work off as soon as possible.

Together, we'll continue working toward a future where independent filmmakers, creative workers, small businesses, and audiences benefit from a more competitive, diverse, and sustainable media ecosystem.

Thank you for being part of this movement.