Paramount, California Attorney General and Writers Guild to Meet for Merger Settlement Talks

Paramount, the California attorney general’s office and the Writers Guild of America are scheduled to convene for a two-day settlement conference starting Oct. 14, as ordered by the court. The meeting follows a cancelled session last month after the attorney general accused Paramount of leaking negotiation details. Prior to the talks, each side will submit brief statements describing the basis of their claims, likely outcomes, and the main issues in dispute.

Lead negotiators are required to have full settlement authority and will discuss objectives, obstacles, and possible creative resolutions. U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson will supervise the proceedings. The government has asked the court to make the states and the guild cover costs linked to the delay, while Paramount has so far offered only behavioral concessions, such as a commitment to release at least 30 movies with 45-day theatrical windows.