Recent news and analysis on Antitrust & Regulation

Tech antitrust news covering DOJ and FTC investigations, competition lawsuits, regulatory actions, and big tech monopoly concerns.

• Paramount to meet California AG on Monday regarding merger settlement

  Paramount requested a meeting with the California Attorney General to discuss settling the state's antitrust case against its Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The meeting includes senior executives and lawyers, though no assurance of meaningful negotiations exists as states allege the deal harms competition and raises consumer prices. Paramount has previously proposed commitments such as producing 30 films annually for three years, which Bonta has rejected.

• Tom Fontana and Michele Mulroney: "Contributor: Why writers are fighting Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros."

  Writers Guild leaders argue that Paramount Skydance's proposed $110.9 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery violates federal antitrust law by creating an unlawful monopoly in film and television writing. They contend the merger eliminates competitive bidding, harms writer compensation, and restricts public choice.

• Groups urge FTC probe into AI firms destroying books

  Civil society organizations are urging the FTC to investigate major AI companies for purchasing and destroying physical books to use as training data. Advocates argue this hoard-and-destroy strategy is an anticompetitive tactic that eliminates essential resources for smaller rivals and startups by denying access to older source material.

• Tribeca tenants sue Compass over alleged rental monopoly

  Two Tribeca residents filed a federal class-action lawsuit accusing real estate giant Compass of monopolizing Manhattan's rental market and inflating rents to over $5,270 monthly. The complaint alleges the brokerage hid listings from public platforms, causing a supply shock and bidding wars for scarce housing.

• Critics warn FTC personalized pricing limits could raise costs

  Critics argue that proposed Federal Trade Commission limits on personalized pricing may increase consumer costs and eliminate discounts. While the FTC acknowledges potential legal violations regarding undisclosed data usage, Chair Andrew Ferguson stated the agency lacks authority to ban such practices entirely.

• Paramount CEO threatens to move operations if merger blocked

  California Governor Gavin Newsom takes Paramount CEO David Ellison's threat to relocate operations seriously as settlement talks with state attorneys general are scheduled. A federal trial is set for March 2 in Oakland, coinciding with a looming $7 million-a-day ticking fee deadline.

• Epic Games accuses Apple of undermining App Store settlement in Brazil

  Epic Games filed a complaint with Brazil's antitrust watchdog CADE, alleging Apple created structural barriers to alternative app distribution. Epic argues the company's implementation exceeds necessary steps compared to Europe, despite previous announcements allowing third-party marketplaces.

• California AG demands structural remedies for Paramount-WBD merger

  California Attorney General Rob Bonta insists on structural remedies to settle the antitrust lawsuit against the $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery-Paramount merger. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the call, warning that continued uncertainty is halting productions and risking thousands of union jobs in California. The Writers Guild of America West rebuked Bass for joining what it called a pressure campaign to push through an illegal merger.

• "Competition Commission of India: Can it keep pace with the digital markets?"

  The article argues that the Competition Commission of India faces challenges in regulating digital markets amid proposed ex-ante regulations. It highlights concerns over regulatory uncertainty and compliance costs, while noting the government's push for sovereign cloud systems following incidents involving foreign tech giants like Microsoft.

• "Votes and Verdicts: Disney, Meta, Biofuel, IRS Shrinkage, Crypto - Bloomberg"

  Bloomberg Intelligence analyzes legal challenges facing Disney and Meta, potential regulatory relief for biofuel refiners against EPA mandates, the economic impact of IRS downsizing, and crypto market developments following White House meetings with industry executives.