Overview
- The U.S. Department of Justice filed a formal statement on Sept. 15 supporting Paramount’s request that the states pay a large bond to cover losses if the merger injunction is later found wrongful.
- Paramount has asked Judge Araceli Martinez‑Olguin to require the 12 plaintiff states and the Writers Guild to post roughly $1.88 billion, a figure the company says reflects a $7 million‑a‑day ticking fee and added financing costs.
- A hearing on the bond request is scheduled for Sept. 24 and a confidential, court‑ordered settlement conference will run Oct. 14–15, with a federal trial set to begin on March 2, 2027 if talks fail.
- The states argue courts normally waive large bonds when public enforcers sue and contend no injunction was issued, while the DOJ says Section 16 of the Clayton Act allows a proper bond and that states act as private enforcers here.
- Paramount has warned it may move its headquarters if delays persist, a threat that local officials say could cost thousands of jobs and billions in economic output and that adds political pressure to settlement talks.