The Writers Guild of America has filed for a preliminary injunction to halt Paramount's proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would harm competition in the labour market for screenwriters. The guild wants its case timed to align with a separate lawsuit brought by a dozen state attorneys general, which is already under way in the same federal court.

Filed early on Wednesday in Oakland, the WGA's motion says the combined company would hold a 35% share of the market for writing services on top-grossing films, eliminating competition it calls "vital" for its members and risking job losses, suppressed pay and narrower creative opportunities. The move follows a temporary restraining order granted on Monday by Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, pausing the merger for 14 days, with a hearing on the states' case set for 3 August; the WGA is seeking the same date, though Paramount's lawyers reportedly would not agree to the schedule. The merger deal includes a $7m-per-day penalty for delays beyond 30 September, and a Paramount spokesperson did not immediately comment.