Oregon AG requests 60-day delay of Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a motion in Multnomah County Circuit Court seeking a 60-day postponement of Paramount Global's proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery and demanding the production of merger-related documents. A hearing is set for Monday.

Rayfield said the request targets records of Paramount's lobbying of federal officials and its involvement in a Justice Department statement supporting the transaction, as well as materials tied to an internal project dubbed “Project Warrior.”

"Oregonians have a real stake in this deal – in our film industry, in our economy, in the choices they’ll have as consumers. Paramount had every opportunity to hand over records and answer a few basic questions. Instead, it is trying to run out the clock and evade scrutiny. We’re asking the court to make sure Oregonians get the answers they’re owed before this deal closes, not after," the attorney general said.

The filing also asks whether Paramount helped draft or edit the DOJ’s unusual approval statement, noting that such involvement could affect the state's interpretation of its own investigative materials.

Paramount has objected, arguing that the document requests are overly burdensome, marginally relevant, and protected by attorney-client privilege, as well as First Amendment rights. The company's lawyers contend that lobbying activities are irrelevant to any alleged violation of Oregon antitrust law.

The request comes as Paramount seeks European regulator approval, with a July 22 deadline for an EU decision, and as UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy signals possible intervention. The U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division approved the deal last month, while California and other state attorneys general are reportedly weighing legal challenges.