2 weeks ago
Film Unions Urge California AG to Settle Paramount Antitrust Suit
Two big groups of people who work in movies and television wrote a letter to California's top lawyer.
The groups are the Directors Guild of America and IATSE.
They asked him to settle a big court fight instead of going to trial.
The court fight is about two huge entertainment companies that want to join together.
Many workers are worried that not knowing what will happen is causing them to lose jobs.
Some movies and shows have been paused or canceled because of the uncertainty.
Another workers' group, the Writers Guild of America, disagrees and wants to stop the merger.
A judge put a pause on the deal and set a trial for March 2.
The workers' groups want the companies to promise to stay separate and keep making many movies.
They hope this will help people get back to work.
The Directors Guild of America and IATSE wrote to California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison urging a settlement of the antitrust lawsuit instead of a trial set for March 2.
The unions said prolonged uncertainty over the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger is hurting an already struggling entertainment industry, with productions put on hold or canceled.
The Writers Guild of America has filed its own antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger, putting it at odds with the DGA and IATSE.
Bonta's coalition of 12 states sued in July; Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin issued a temporary restraining order pausing the deal and set a trial date four months later than Paramount sought.
The unions proposed settlement conditions including keeping the two studios as separate entities producing at least 15 films a year each and maintaining existing outside-content licensing.
- Who
- The Directors Guild of America (DGA) and IATSE, led by Russell Hollander and Matthew Loeb, along with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, and Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin.
- What
- The DGA and IATSE urged a settlement of the antitrust lawsuit over the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger rather than a trial currently scheduled for March 2.
- Where
- California, where Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading the antitrust case.
- When
- The unions' letter was sent on a Wednesday; the antitrust suit was filed in July and the trial date was set for March 2.
- Why
- The unions say prolonged uncertainty over the proposed merger is hurting an already struggling industry, with productions put on hold or canceled and less work available for members.
Supporters of the Merger
Opponents of the Merger
The proposed merger itself
Supporters of the Merger
Paramount, Regal Cinemas and AMC Theatres back the transaction.
Opponents of the Merger
Attorney General Bonta's 12-state coalition, the Writers Guild of America and Cinema United oppose it, arguing it would result in illegal consolidation in the basic cable and theatrical distribution markets.
Union stance on the deal
Supporters of the Merger
The DGA and IATSE want a settlement with conditions, such as keeping studios separate with at least 15 films each per year, to end uncertainty.
Opponents of the Merger
The Writers Guild of America has filed its own antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger.
Timing of the case
Supporters of the Merger
Paramount has pushed for an accelerated schedule and an earlier trial date.
Opponents of the Merger
The states have sought additional time to depose Paramount executives and obtain documents; the DGA and IATSE call the March 2 trial date damaging to the industry.
Key facts
- Parties urging settlement
- Directors Guild of America (DGA) and IATSE
- Antitrust lawsuit
- Filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of 12 states against Paramount
- Merger in question
- Proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger
- Trial date
- March 2, four months later than Paramount sought
- Court action
- Temporary restraining order pausing the deal, issued by Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin
- Proposed settlement conditions
- Keep the two studios separate, each producing at least 15 films a year; maintain existing outside-content licensing
- Deal supporters
- Regal Cinemas and AMC Theatres
- Deal opponents
- Writers Guild of America and theater trade group Cinema United
Quotes
Russell Hollander, national executive director of the DGA
DGA national executive director
“"While we have been consistent in our view that mergers, such as this one, historically offer few benefits to workers, we are also particularly concerned about the negative impact a delay in the decision regarding the proposed merger will have on our members and the industry at large,"”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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