Source: Several U.S. states are considering filing lawsuits to block Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros.

On June 6, it was reported that lead lawyers from multiple states in the United States were drafting a legal document to challenge Paramount Skydance's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.O), laying the foundation for antitrust litigation against this huge Hollywood deal. According to people familiar with the matter, senior officials in about 10 states have begun drafting complaint documents and discussing legal procedures to file potential lawsuits within this month to prevent the merger. Among them, California, where the entertainment industry gathers, is taking the lead in promoting this work. No final decision has been made on filing a lawsuit or which states will join the lawsuit. According to people familiar with the matter, most states considering lawsuits are led by Democratic attorneys general, but at least two Republican attorneys general are also involved in the investigation. Officials in California and other states have met with Paramount and opponents of the deal and asked them to provide sworn statements or testimony that could be used in litigation, according to people familiar with the investigation.