ⓒCourtesy of Warner Bros. and Paramount

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order to prevent Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. valued at $110 billion. The order put a halt on the merger for 14 days.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued a temporary restraining order on Monday following a lawsuit filed by 12 states a week prior, which alleged the proposed merger breached antitrust laws.

The emergency motion aimed to halt the studio’s planned merger, which was scheduled to proceed in 14 days.

“Because the Plaintiff States raise serious questions on the merits of their Clayton Act claim and because the balance of equities and public interest tip sharply in favor of the Plaintiff States, the Court ultimately finds the public interest favors their requested TRO to stay the merger in the interim.”

The judge noted that the state attorneys general supplied “convincing evidence” indicating the merged companies would have significant market share in the theatrical distribution market for wide-release films.

This order indicates Paramount and Warner Bros. Can’t “close” or “conclude” the Transaction, nor can they take any actions, whether directly or indirectly, to merge or combine their operations in connection with the Transaction. The judge set the hearing date for August 3rd and required the motion to be submitted by Thursday.